PUBLIC NOTICE OF CHARTER VESSEL SOLICITATION

(Solicitation ACTIVE: June 4- June 15, 2026):

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project requires a charter vessel to support remote marine debris removal operations. The vessel shall be suitable for distant open-ocean work with sufficient fuel, sewage treatment, water, food stores and shall meet all permitting requirements to transit and operate in the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS). The vessel shall have in proper working order all required United States Coast Guard (USCG) approved safety, lifesaving, navigation, and communication devices. The vessel shall be compliant with existing NOAA, Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS), State of Hawaii, and federal regulations. The Captain shall have a valid merchant mariners license for the appropriate vessel size. It is desireable that the Captain and crew have experience operating in PNMS waters, including experience with small boat shore landings, navigating unmarked channels and near shore areas of the PMNM.

PMDP IS CURRENTLY SEEKING A VESSEL WITH THE FOLLOWING CAPABILITIES

• Vessel/Ship with endurance of 30 days at sea (without refueling or resupplying) and capable of working up to 1350 nautical miles from Honolulu, Hawaii

• Vessel/Ship with berthing availability for 16 staff from PMDP

• Vessel/Ship capable of transiting at a minimum cruising speed of 8 kts into sea state 6 conditions.

• Vessel/Ship with a working deck capable of storing up to two (2) 20-ft IMO shipping containers, four (4) open-top 48yd rolloff dumpsters for storing debris, and four (4) 19-ft inflatable boats simultaneously.

• Vessel/Ship with supplemental fresh water tankage sufficient to fill four (4) 48.8 yd rolloff containers (approx. 30,000 gallons) in addition to all other domestic fresh water use

• Vessel/Ship with a crane capable of deploying and recovering four (4) 19-ft inflatable boats (~2,000 pounds each) and up to eight (8) loads of marine debris (up to ~4,000 pounds each) per day 

• Vessel/Ship staff must be able to support 8-12 hours of operations per day at sea (6am – 6pm).

• Vessel/Ship that can support two (2) cruises (one 22 day, one 26 day) in the summer/fall timeframe of August 1-October 31 of 2026.

• (preferred) Vessel/Ship familiar with the locale of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and have experience deploying and recovering small boats in open ocean in up to sea state 5.

Additional requirements apply and can be found within the complete Vessel Statement of Work (SOW) document. Please contact Kevin O’Brien ([email protected]) to receive a copy of the SOW or for any additional questions.