University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System

University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) is an organization of 64 academic institutions and National Laboratories involved in oceanographic research and joined for the purpose of coordinating oceanographic ships' schedules and research facilities. The original UNOLS Charter was written in 1972 and most recently revised in 1999. As of May 1, 2000, the office for UNOLS is located at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in Moss Landing, California.

The Goals of UNOLS are: Broad, coordinated access to oceanographic research facilities: Maintain a system that ensures broad access to research vessels and other facilities. Continuous quality improvement: Foster co-operation between facility operators, funding agencies and research scientists. Plan for and foster support for the oceanographic facilities of the future: Provide leadership and broad community input to the process of planning for and supporting the improvement, renewal and addition of facilities required to support the ocean sciences in the future.