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First Time in the Water

February 25, 2014

The next ship in the UNOLS fleet to be operated by WHOI, the R/V Neil Armstrong, was launched on Saturday, February 22, at the Dakota Creek Industries shipyard in Anacortes, Wash., where it is being built. The Armstrong was slowly lowered into the water over approximately four hours beginning at 3:00 a.m. to take advantage of a neap tide, when there is least difference between high and low water, to minimize the impact of currents on the ship during the operation. The ship will be christened on March 29 and should be fully outfitted and ready for science by spring 2015. (Photo by Gary McGrath, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)