News

Rear Admiral Richard “Rick” Thomas Brennan, Jr.

Director
NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey

NOAA Corps Rear Admiral Richard “Rick” Brennan, director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey, was an integral part of building connections across NOAA line and program offices, including the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, to benefit coastal communities around the United States. Rick was instrumental in advocating for regional mapping, including the Southern California Seafloor Mapping Initiative, a cross-line office NOAA partnership which helped to identify multiple new hazards to navigation, new coral gardens, and even a new species of snail. Additionally, the survey identified a previously uncharted reef in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, which was later officially designated as “Brennan Reef” in Rick’s honor. He also championed the 2022 Rainier Integrates Charting, Hydrography, and Reef Demographics, or RICHARD Cruise, (named posthumously for Admiral Brennan), which included hydrographic and coral surveys in the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, delivering high‐quality data, data products, and tools to the region.

You can read more about the National Marine Sanctuary Garden at the Dr Nancy Foster Florida Keys Environmental Complex in Key West and other honorees here.

National Oceanic and Administration (NOAA)'s Office of Coast Survey released the official blog of the naming of the Brennan Reef. This honor was bestowed upon Rick due to his collaborative efforts within NOAA which resulted in finding a previously uncharted reef in the Channel Islands off the coast of California. You can read the official release here.

The Office of Coast Survey invites non-federal entities to partner with NOAA National Ocean Service’s ocean and coastal mapping programs on jointly funded projects of mutual interest using NOAA’s geospatial contracting vehicles. Known as the Brennan Matching Fund, the opportunity relies on NOAA’s mapping, charting, and geodesy expertise, appropriated funds, and its authority to receive and expend matching funds contributed by partners to conduct surveying and mapping activities.

To read the announcement, click here.

Dr Larry Mayer, Director, University of New Hampshire Center for Coastal & Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center, shares thoughts and experiences with Rick at UNH along with their professional and personal interactions. To read the full note, click here.

Rear Admiral Shep Smith, NOAA, ret. and Rick were longtime friends and colleagues. Shep shares his thoughts on their friendship and working together and supporting RTB Fair Winds. Also, read up on our SUMMER GIVEAWAY, our Sleeves UP! campaign, and the RICHARD project right here.

RTB Fair Winds has officially announced it's incorporation, mission, and goals on March 15, 2022. We kicked off our announcement with a blood drive campaign -Sleeves Up! with the American Red Cross, with a goal of 300 pints pledged in three months. Additionally, we launched this website, our Instagram and Facebook pages where supporters can learn more about RTB Fair Winds, events, fundraising, volunteering, scholarship opportunities and more.