Marine Operations maintains a small fleet of boats that are available for use by qualified faculty, staff, and graduate students that are engaged in classes or research projects. Operator assistance can also be provided by Christoph Pierre. The vessels are used for SCUBA diving, oceanographic research, and a variety of other activities along the coast and the Channel Islands. Convenient launching facilities exist at Goleta Pier (2mi.) and the Santa Barbara Harbor (11mi.) from the UCSB Campus.

Recharge Rates and Reservation Calendar

• Recharge Rates
• Boat Calendar

View Complete Description of Boats

Become Certified to Pilot Departmental Boats

Faculty, Staff, Graduate and Undergraduate students may become certified to pilot departmental boats after submitting the following to the Launch Master Christoph Pierre:

1. Written statement from the Grant PI requesting that you be a UCSB certified boat driver to operate boats under the auspices of the grant. Also needed is the grant title and Bio 4 digit #. (a simple email from the PI will do)
2. Photo copy of your small boat handling certificate or equal document.
3. Documentation that confirms that you have current First Aid, CPR, and Oxygen administration.
4. Written confirmation from a UCSB certified operator(s) that you have completed 12 trips in their presence where you have been the primary operator of the boat.
5. Then you can complete the process by demonstrating to the launchmaster (Christoph Pierre) on a "check-out trip" that you have mastered all the idiosyncrasies of operating a UCSB vessel.