Pre-Access Vessel Inspections

finger pointing at specimen found under ship hull — Sanctuary Resource Protection Specialist Brian Hauk points out a sample for collection. Photo: Colt Davis/CIMAR

diver examining vessel — Papahānaumokuākea Unit Dive Supervisor Jason Leonard inspects niche areas on a ship's hull for non-native species. Photos: Brian Hauk/NOAA

To minimize the risk of transporting non-native species into Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary, staff conduct pre-access vessel inspections for permitted ships traveling into the sanctuary. This includes the use of scuba divers and remotely operated vehicles to look for biofouling which may be growing on the ship's hull. Prevention is a more efficient way of protecting marine resources from the effects of invasive species than trying to eradicate them after they have been introduced.

NOAA divers are trained on methods, terminology, and safety protocols associated with scuba diving in an overhead environment under a special task endorsement developed for conducting non-native species inspections on ship hulls. Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary Resource Protection Program divers perform hull inspections to assess the presence of species of concern that would need to be addressed prior to a vessel entering the sanctuary.

divers in water preparing to start vessel inspection — Papahānaumokuākea staff along with divers from the NOAA Ship *Okeanos Explorer* prepare to descend and start their inspection. Photo: Chelsie Counsell/CIMAR