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Asterias

December 13, 2011

Named for a local starfish, the original Asterias was the Institution’s first coastal research vessel. Asterias was built in 1931 in Fairhaven, Mass., from white and southern hard pine, and was similar to commercial fishing boats of the era. The 40-foot vessel made at least 10,000 short trips from Maine to New York. Scientists used the vessel primarily to test scientific gear. The replacement for Asterias, delivered to WHOI in 1980, was a 46-foot vessel given the same name. More photos of WHOI vessels, past and present, are featured in the 2012 WHOI wall calendar. (Photo courtesy of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Archives)