Exchange Sends Letter of FY23 Funding Support for NOAA Survey Vessels and PORTS O&M

December 7, 2022 

The Honorable Jeanne Shaheen, Chairwoman
The Honorable Jerry Moran, Ranking Member

Re: FY23 Funding for NOAA Survey Vessels/Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System O&M

The Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay joins the National Association of Maritime Organizations and other concerned waterway stakeholders in requesting funds for two very important NOAA programs. First is a request for $95 million dollars in FY23 funding for the recapitalization of NOAA’s oldest two survey vessels: the S/V FAIRWEATHER and the S/V RAINIER. The second involves $12 million request for annual Operations & Maintenance (O&M) funding for NOAA’s Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®) Program.

Dear Chairwoman Shaheen and Ranking Member Moran:

The Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay joins the National Association of Maritime Organizations and other concerned waterway stakeholders in requesting funds for two very important NOAA programs. First is a request for $95 million dollars in FY23 funding for the recapitalization of NOAA’s oldest two survey vessels: the S/V FAIRWEATHER and the S/V RAINIER. The second involves $12 million request for annual Operations & Maintenance (O&M) funding for NOAA’s Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®) Program.

The Maritime Exchange is a nonprofit association representing port and related interest in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware. NOAA programs are extremely important to safe, efficient, and environmentally healthy operations in the tristate region.