The Fish and Wildlife Service Research Vessel YAQUINA.

The Fish and Wildlife Service Research Vessel HUGH M. SMITH.

The Fish Commission Schooner GRAMPUS.

The Fish Commission Schooner GRAMPUS.

The Fish Commission Schooner GRAMPUS.

The Fish Commission Schooner GRAMPUS.

The Fish Commission Schooner GRAMPUS.

Launching of the Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship E. LESTER JONES.

Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship DERICKSON.

Christening ceremony of the Coast and Geodetic Survey Ships FAIRWEATHER and RAINIER.

NOAA Ship RESEARCHER.

Description not available.

Lieutenant Commander Stacy Birk on bridge watch on the NOAA Ship McARTHUR.

McARTHUR deck hand Michael Theberge fishing during free time in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

McARTHUR deck hand Michael Theberge with fish caught during free time off the NOAA Ship McARTHUR in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

McARTHUR deck hand Michael Theberge with Mahi mahi caught during free time off the NOAA Ship McARTHUR in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

NOAA Corps Ensign Doug Krause and Seaman Surveyor Leroy Johnson on bridge wing of NOAA Ship McARTHUR.

McARTHUR deck hand Mike Theberge preparing for Pizza Night at sea on the NOAA Ship McARTHUR.

Shipboard and scientific crew unite for the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Pinata Festival on board the NOAA Ship McARTHUR during Project STAR 2000.

McARTHUR deck hand Mike Theberge and NOAA Corps Lieutenant Alex von Saunder preparing pizzas on McARTHUR Pizza Night.

NOAA Ship McARTHUR offshore from native-owned pangas at Isla Gorgona during STAR 2000 project.

NOAA Ship McARTHUR anchored off Isla Cocos during STAR 2000 project.

NOAA Ship McARTHUR anchored off Isla Gorgona during STAR 2000 project.

Marine mammal observer Paula Olson of the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center at the computer/recorder position during STAR 2000.

NOAA Ship McARTHUR deck hand Mike Theberge on the bridgewing.

The NOAA Ship McARTHUR after a long four-month deployment in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean.

Deck hand Mike Theberge and seaman surveyor Leroy Johnson with fish caught off Clipperton Island during STAR 2000.

A rainbow runner caught at Clipperton Island during STAR 2000.

A rockfish caught at Clipperton Island during STAR 2000.

A sea snake caught during dipnetting operations off the NOAA Ship McARTHUR during STAR 2000. These snakes are poisonous and very dangerous.

Launching an inflatable boat from the NOAA Ship McARTHUR during STAR 2000 operations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

Launching an inflatable boat from the NOAA Ship McARTHUR during STAR 2000 operations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

Sunrise photography on the flying bridge of the NOAA Ship McARTHUR while conducting operations for STAR 2000 in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

Marine mammal observer with digitally enhanced boobie observing the observer. NOAA Ship McARTHUR during STAR 2000 operations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

Hanging out on the fantail for those not on watch. Note crewman in hard and life vest working on over-the-stern operations. On the NOAA Ship McARTHUR during STAR 2000 operations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean.

Laura Morse working on the Big Eyes searching for marine mammals on Halloween. On the NOAA Ship McARTHUR conducting STAR 2000 operations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

Plastic bags are meant to discourage boobies from landing on the masthead. Apparently they don't work. Diners on deck below have to minimize upward looks upward and maximize cover over food. On the NOAA Ship McARTHUR during STAR 2000 operations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean.

Plastic bags are meant to discourage boobies from landing on the masthead. Apparently they don't work. On the NOAA Ship McARTHUR during STAR 2000 operations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean.

Seaman surveyor Leroy Johnson holding rainbow runner caught off Clipperton Island. On the NOAA Ship McARTHUR during STAR 2000 operations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean.

Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer HASSLER

Launch RODGERS - named for Coast Survey Assistant Augustus Rodgers, brother of Civil War hero Admiral John Rodgers. Vessel is outfitted for current observations.

Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship RANGER. This ship was obtained from the Navy following WWI and returned in 1931.

Lake Survey Vessel SHENEHON. This vessel's home port was Detroit. Pre-NOAA photo.

Lake Survey Vessel SHENEHON. This vessel's home port was Detroit. This photo was taken shortly after the Lake Survey came under the auspices of NOAA.

Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship SIALIA. This ship was returned to the Navy after only a few months service with the C&GS because of mechanical problems.

Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship STIRNI. This ship was named in memory of Lt. (j.g.) Joseph Stirni, USC&GS, who was killed while a Japanese prisoner of war in 1945. He was killed by a U. S. bomb hitting the ship he was being transported to Japan on from the Philippine Islands.

NOAA Ship FAIRWEATHER at the pier at Cordova, Alaska.

NOAA Ship FERREL with NOAA Launch 1255. These vessels operated together on current surveys for a number of years.

Artist's rendition of the Coast a Ship FERREL operating on current surveys. The surveys. The buoy in the foreground is a TICUS current system buoy.

Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship FERREL in shipyard.