R/V Oceanus Departure

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January 25, 2010—There were more than a few teary eyes in the crowd (it was the wind and cold, really) as R/V Oceanus departed Woods Hole for the last time. After 36 years at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Workhorse of the North Atlantic is headed to the West Coast to replace its sister ship, R/V Wecoma as Oregon State University's oceanographic research vessel. As the ship begins to leave the dock, listen for it to give a nautically proper 3-long-2-short salute with its horn, for other ships in the harbor to return the salute (including R/V Knorr's deep, throaty voice), and for the moment when all formality is finally thrown to the wind and almost every car horn on the dock lets loose. At the very end, you'll also hear the WHOI brass band giving Oceanus its own, jaunty send-off. Safe travels Oceanus, Workhorse of the North Pacific. (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)