DECK OFFICERS

LCDR Appler holds a Bachelors degree in Biology from Villanova University and a Masters degree in Business Administration from Naval Postgraduate School. Mr. Appler is currently the Executive Officer of NOAA Ship Oregon II, and has previously served on NOAA vessels David Starr Jordan, Albatross IV, and Gloria Michelle. He has operated in every oceanic coastal area of the United States, and has sailed with NOAA in six countries and Midway Atoll. Mr. Appler’s other NOAA experience includes coordinating surveys for NMFS SWFSC/PRD, and serving as the Executive Officer of the Environmental Research Division, NMFS SWFSC.

LT Sarah A.T. Harris is currently a quarter of the way through her billet as the Operations Officer aboard the OREGON II. She has completed one sea tour aboard the OSCAR ELTON SETTE as a junior officer after which she joined the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument as Vessel Operations Coordinator. During her stint in Hawaii she has been a working diver, a scientific diver, and a small boat operator in the North West Hawaiian Islands. LT Harris is originally from Phoenix, AZ. She graduated from Long Island University in Southampton with a degree in Marine Science in 2003.

Navigation Officer - ENS Larry V. Thomas, Hometown: Jacksonville, AL

ENS Thomas is from Jacksonville, Alabama where he attended Jacksonville State University. While at JSU he earned a degree in Marine Biology in 2004, and then started graduate school in January 2005. ENS Thomas is from a military family with his mother doing 20 years in the Army and his father also serving 22 years. ENS Thomas has interest in marine fisheries, coral reef ecology and marine behavior. In his spare time he enjoys riding his Triumph Daytona 600 sport bike and playing golf. His prior experiences include working as a fisheries observer for the NOAA lab in Galveston Texas. As an undergraduate and graduate student he volunteered as a guest biologist onboard the NOAA ships Gordon Gunter and Oregon II out of Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Junior Officer - ENS Brian J. Adornato,

ENS Brian Adornato is the Assistant Navigation Officer aboard the NOAA Ship Oregon II. He earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas, and a Master of Public Policy and an MS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan. ENS Adornato enjoys playing basketball, tinkering with his truck, and learning more about oceanography.