Modular Ocean Research Infrastructure (MORI)
The Modular Ocean Research Infrastructure (MORI) project is an alternative pathway for support of sophisticated, vessel-based ocean research that would potentially be more flexible, economical, scalable and delivered faster than construction or purchase of a new fleet of specialized research vessels.
MORI is designed for mobility and flexible deployment on diverse vessel types. This allows specialized research infrastructure to be used on vessels across Canada, and even internationally, without requiring costly and time-consuming repositioning of the vessels themselves. In a significant advance from existing use of containerized systems (e.g. container labs, which are widely used throughout ocean science), MORI modules work as an interoperable system including all data transfer, services, communications and logistics and provide all the research support functions typically provided by the research vessel itself. Because of this, MORI is capable of transforming a range of vessels into fully operational instruments of large-scale oceanography.
Born out of MEOPAR’s 2019 examination of the gaps and obstacles precluding researchers from accessing ship time to conduct experiments on Canada’s offshore waters, the National Research Vessel Task Team (NRVTT) brings together a team of over 30 Canadian and international researchers, industry and government partners to develop a vision for the future of Canada’s vessel needs for offshore research.
One of the solutions to come out of NRVTT discussions is the development of Modular Ocean Research Infrastructure (MORI). MORI has just completed its two-year initial development and demonstration phase, showcasing its approach as an alternative pathway for support of sophisticated, vessel-based ocean research that can be more flexible, economical, scalable and delivered faster than construction or purchase of a new fleet of specialized research vessels.
MORI Cruises:
- NSDoEM/OERA Offshore Hydrocarbon Seep Investigation
- Ocean Frontier Institute/CERC.Ocean Seacycler Deployment (2021)
- Office of Naval Research, Fog And Turbulence Interactions in the Marine Atmosphere – FATIMA
- NSERC, Coral and Water Column Paleoceanography
- Ocean Frontier Institute/CERC.Ocean: Seacycler Deployment (2022)
MORI’s Initial Development and Demonstration (IDD) phase received financial support from Irving Shipbuilding and MEOPAR.
The project also had support from COVE Ocean – Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship, National Research Council, Natural Resources Canada, CERC.Ocean Laboratory, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Defence Research and Development Canada, Hawboldt Industries and numerous people and organizations who provided time, advice and loaned equipment.
Latest News From MORI
Further Reading
‘Modular Ocean Research Infrastructure (MORI): A Flexible, Scalable and Affordable Approach to Ocean-going Research in Canada and Worldwide’, by Dr. Doug Wallace and Doug Bancroft
CMOS Bulletin, 2020
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