Welcome to the RVTEC (Research Vessel Technical Enhancement Committee) Wiki, a centralized space for sharing knowledge, best practices, documentation, and resources related to the technical operations of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet.

This wiki is a collaborative effort to support marine technicians by providing easy access to reference materials, standard operating procedures, technical guides, and community-sourced solutions.

Marine technicians are essential to the day-to-day operations of research vessels. They support science missions by setting up and maintaining equipment, assisting with data collection, troubleshooting technical issues, and helping ensure that scientific work at sea runs smoothly and safely. Their responsibilities often span a wide range of systems, from sensors and data networks to deck operations and lab support.

Because the scope of work spans such a broad and complex technical landscape, having a shared, easily accessible knowledge base is essential. This wiki exists to help marine technicians share knowledge across institutions, stay consistent across the fleet, build on the collective knowledge of the community, and continuously raise the bar for technical excellence across the fleet.

Whether you’re new to the fleet or a long-time member of the RVTEC community, we hope this wiki serves as a valuable resource to help you navigate technical challenges, streamline operations, and stay connected with the broader network.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is intended as general guidance and may not reflect ship-specific configurations or procedures. Please use caution and always refer to vessel-specific documentation and protocols when applicable.

All are welcome to contribute! If you’re interested in becoming an active editor or a contributing member of the wiki, please reach out to rvtecwiki@unols.org to get started.

Feel free to explore, contribute, and help us keep this a living, evolving tool that reflects the strength and expertise of our community.

To access the full scope of information on this wiki, please create a user account.

Contributing wiki authors: