Welcome to the NSF Wire Pool

The NSF Wire Pool is funded by the National Science Foundation.

Exploration of ocean depths can be achieved using cables and ropes that lower or tow scientific instrumentation. Vessels in the US academic research fleet utilize these tension members to support oceanographic research.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Wire Pool maintains an inventory of tension members including wire ropes, cables and synthetic ropes that are commonly used by the US academic research fleet. With support from NSF, the Wire Pool oversees the distribution of tension members to the fleet.

Requests from University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) vessels operators for new and used cable and wire rope should be directed to the Wire Pool.  The Wire Pool will then assist with the assessment of available resources.