Rates effective 11/01/2004 *Rates are subject to change without notice.

$ 650.00 - Standard daily charter rate for a full day charter (8 hours).
$ 100.00 - For each extra hour over the 8 hours. Maximum allowed at sea is 10 hours total.
$ 350.00 - Half-day charter rate for up to 3½ hour dock to dock.
$ 200.00 - Lay day rate (includes weather and other non-operational days when away from
                   home port and any non-operational day caused by scientific party. (See Note 6)
$ 100.00 - (Exempt) Service fee for the Captain working on a holiday or weekend day  (as 
                  requested by the PI).

The Total Charter Cost will include the above rates and the cost of fuel used. See Note 7.

1. Since oceanographic research missions must be planned far in advance, and since the demand for vessel time, especially during the period from May through September, is high, a purchase order or funds equal to 25% of the estimated Total Charter Cost (charter rates plus fuel) is required to schedule days on the R/V SEAHAWK. The Assistant Director for Marine Operations can provide an estimate of the total Charter Cost. Purchase orders or checks should be made out to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington – R/V SEAHAWK and sent to:

Assistant Director for Marine Operations
5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane
Wilmington , N.C. 28409

2. UNCW must receive a purchase order at least 10 days prior to the beginning of the charter period. The PO should be in the amount of the total estimated charges (based on the above rates), including fuel, less the deposit (if already paid), for the number of days to be chartered (see note 7). In the event the PO is not received on time, the charter days may be offered to other users and the deposit forfeited (see note 5). If scheduling conflicts cannot be resolved by other means, priority may be determined by which deposit is received first. Fees are subject to change without notice.

3. The Charter Period begins when vessel operations such as loading, departure or other operations requiring crew to be present are SCHEDULED TO BEGIN by the Chartering Party. The Charter Period ends when the vessel returns to its slip and off-loading operations are completed. Vessel should be left in the same condition in which it was found. Note: Special projects that need to operate at night only (maximum duration is 8 hours dock to dock, no extra hours) will need special authorization from the Assistant Director for Marine Operations.

4. UNCW will bill the Chartering Party after completion of the scheduled charter. Invoices itemizing the costs of the charter will be provided. Full payment of the Charter Lease is required within thirty (30) days of receipt of the invoice.

5. Cancellation Policy: A scheduled mission may be canceled up to ten days prior to the scheduled start of the mission. If the mission is canceled at least forty-five days in advance, only ten percent (10%) of the Charter Cost is non-refundable.

6. If the vessel is forced to have a non-operational day during a Charter Period, the chartering party will not be charged if the cause of the non-operational day is vessel related (ex. mechanical problems). However, if the cause of the non-operational day lies with the chartering party (ex. equipment problems), lay days will be billed at $200/day.

7. Total cost for charter fees will be calculated using the above listed rates and the cost of fuel actually consumed. The Vessel Captain will gauge all fuel tanks (port, starboard, and generator) each day and record the levels in the fuel log. Expected fuel consumption at a cruising speed of 18 knots (under fair weather conditions) is 40 gallons per hour. Fuel consumption at idle speed (ex. survey work) is about 10 gallons per hour. These estimates include fuel for the generator. Note: Fuel consumption will increase sharply when the vessel is loaded with gear and people due to the light planing hull design which is very weight-sensitive.  

8. Expenses incurred when away from homeport (such as dockage, crew per diem, transportation, phone calls, etc.) will be charged to the Chartering Party.

9. On all charters, the R/VSEAHAWK Captain will operate all shipboard machinery. The chartering party will provide sufficient personnel for loading and unloading scientific equipment and supplies and for carrying out the planned project. Drinks, food, and snacks will be the responsibility of the chartering party for day trips.

ZERO TOLERANCE IS A CONDITION FOR CHARTER OF THE R/VSEAHAWK.

CONTACT: Dan Aspenleiter -
Phone (910) 962-2436
Fax (910) 962-2410

aspenleiterd@uncw.edu