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Proud Lineage

September 3, 2015

Since its beginning, WHOI has maintained a vessel used by researchers to study the coastal ocean or to test equipment in local waters. Today, that job is held by R/V Tioga or the WHOI Small Boat Fleet. From 1930 to 1981, researchers used the 40-foot launch Asterias, shown here in 1948. The vessel was constructed by Casey Boat Building for less than $7,000 and was modeled on fishing boats of the era. After more than 10,000 trips, Asterias was replaced with a second boat named Asterias, which was retired in 2003 and replaced with Tioga. (Photo courtesy of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Archives)