Responsibilities within U.S. Oceanographic Institutions Compliance with obligations imposed by coastal states as a condition of their granting research clearances is a joint responsibility of the ship operating institution, the ship's master, and the chief scientist or principal investigator.
Most oceanographic institutions designate one of their staff to oversee clearance procedures.
This individual should be consulted as early as possible in the planning of a project. It is normally the responsibility of the investigator to provide a full description of the research and to fill out the necessary clearance forms. In instances where more than one principal investigator is involved in obtaining clearance for the same project, it is often helpful to identify a single individual as the primary point of contact for access questions. It is imperative that all aspects of the project, and any significant changes therein, be communicated through the vessel operating institution to the Department of State. Although it is normal for the chief scientist to exercise control over the research while the cruise is in progress, it is the vessel's master who is responsible for the operation of the vessel and the safety of the vessel and those aboard.