Barter cruises can be technically very demanding at times. Especially when large equipment is used or more than one ship involved. Therefore, procedure is necessary ahead of the cruise involving all persons in charge.
- At least six months ahead of a barter cruise, a first planning meeting will be organized by the barter party who owns the requested research vessel. One purpose for the meeting is to get to know the key players of the cruise in person assign responsibilities and get familiar with the technical potential and the national arrangements of the research ship.
This first meeting is compulsory as well for the PI's as for the technical staff involved in handling the mobile equipment. During this meeting all necessities concerning permits, ship equipment, mobile technical equipment, challenges evolving from the complexity of the cruise and so on are addressed. - If necessary, 3 months ahead of the cruise, a second meeting will take place where the details of the cruise will be finalized. The decision about the second meeting is made in the aftermath of the first meeting, when it becomes obvious that problems might be difficult to solve without direct communication.