This proposal provides the ship operational costs to support NSF funded research operations on F.G. Walton Smith in 2024, as well as estimations for out-year 2025-2028. R/V Walton Smith is owned by the by the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. NSF support would be used to provide a safe working environment for scientists and crew, effective maintenance, management of the vessel, and MOSA contributions to maintain the ship and comply with U.S Coast Guard mandates under 46 CFR Subchapter U. <br/><br/>R/V F. G. Walton Smith is a Coastal Class Research Vessel and RSMAS is a designated University National Oceanographic Laboratory System operator, and a member of the Academic Research Fleet (ARF). RV Walton Smith is a 96-foot-long catamaran capable of carrying a crew of 6, 1 science technician, and a 12-person science party.<br/><br/>This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria<br/><br/>This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.