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Propelling Oceanography

April 10, 2014

It’s a giant step for oceanographers: The newly-christened research vessel Neil Armstrong—named for the first man to walk on the moon—nears the end of two years of construction north of Seattle. Armstrong, which WHOI will operate when it enters service in 2015, will accommodate up to 24 scientists on research cruises lasting up to 40 days. WHOI Chief Engineer Gary McGrath snapped this photo while attending to the vessel because he was intrigued by the 238-foot ship’s propulsion system and twin rudders, a setup that differs from other WHOI-operated vessels. Armstrong will replace the 45-year-old R/V Knorr, best known for supporting the work of the discovery of the RMS Titantic.(Photo by Gary McGrath, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)