CHARLESTON — Leadership from the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) joined partners to celebrate the official opening of NOAA's Charleston Port Facility on April 5, 2025. The facility serves as the home port for NOAA ships Ronald H. Brown and Nancy Foster.

NOAA Administrator Neil Jacob stated, "Today, we cut the ribbon on an innovative, next-generation maritime home port." Jacob added, "This crucial investment in our marine infrastructure will help ensure NOAA's fleet can continue to deliver the critical observations and data that protect lives, strengthen our economy, and advance our nation's security."

In 2023, NOAA awarded $59.8 million to Manson Construction Company to renovate the agency's pier facility in North Charleston. The renovations included demolishing the existing pier and building a new 62-by-360-foot floating pier, which was launched and positioned earlier this year.

Rear Adm. Chad M. Cary, NOAA Corps director and NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations assistant administrator, commented on the facility's role. "This pier and facility are integral to safe and efficient research ship operations in the Atlantic," Cary said. "The new infrastructure allows both NOAA ships homeported in Charleston to once again have designated berths and better accommodate research missions in the area."

Additional improvements at the facility include a new warehouse and a small boat pier to support operations. The new floating pier incorporates shoreside power for the ships. NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations operates a fleet of 15 hydrographic survey, oceanographic research, and fisheries survey vessels. These ships are run by a combination of NOAA commissioned officers and civilian professional mariners.