The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would like to invite you to tour the NOAA research vessel, SRVx Sand Tiger, on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014, anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
You will have the unique opportunity to meet BOEM and NOAA archaeologists and divers to learn more about their jobs, as well as their most recent mission to explore potential shipwrecks offshore Virginia Beach to assess their significance based on the National Historic Preservation Act.
The SRVx Sand Tiger will be docked behind the battleship, USS Wisconsin, at Nauticus 1 Waterside Dr., Norfolk, VA 23510.
We hope to see you there!
Background
With the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, BOEM has acquired responsibilities to oversee renewable energy activities on the Outer Continental Shelf, including wind power development.
BOEM's overarching strategic goal is to achieve responsible development of offshore wind energy, while minimizing impacts on the environment. BOEM is preparing to issue two research leases and already has issued a commercial wind energy lease for areas offshore Virginia Beach. BOEM is seeking baseline data for these areas in order to make sound decisions about how to minimize impacts and to meet its responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act.
To meet these needs, BOEM has invited NOAA to collaborate on an archaeological survey near offshore Virginia. NOAA will provide scientific and technical advice and services, share resources, and assist BOEM with conducting and analyzing the resulting data. For more information about this effort, contact tracey.moriarty@boem.gov.