NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Departing Gatun Locks.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. In Miraflores Locks at the Pacific end of the Panama Canal.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. In Miraflores Locks at the Pacific end of the Panama Canal.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Passing into the Pacific Ocean at the southeast end of the Panama Canal.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Engine control console of the BELL M. SHIMADA, a far cry from the old "Bailey Board."

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. A double rainbow portending good fortune for the BELL M. SHIMADA as it spends its first days in the ocean that will be its home.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Looking astern towards a rainbow.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Looking forward from the stern of the BELL M. SHIMADA showing drum and trawl net.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. The steward barbecuing steaks for a cookout on the deck of the BELL M. SHIMADA.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Taking a sun azimuth for a check of the gyro-compass.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Discussing the ME70 sonar used for fish finding.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Ship's officers try their hand at celestial navigation. Wonder how they did compared to GPS?

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Placing of plaque commemorating scientist Bell Shimada on Shimada Seamount.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Placing of plaque commemorating scientist Bell Shimada on Shimada Seamount.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. A little bit of rocking and rolling heading north from Shimada Seamount.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Churning and burning - looking astern while headed north from Shimada Seamount.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Headed into San Diego Harbor.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Putting over the gangway at San Diego.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Tied up at Broadway Pier in San Diego.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Open house at San Diego.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Open house at San Diego.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Open house at San Diego.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. Passing under the bridge in Yaquina Bay headed to Newport.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA on its maiden voyage. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow at Newport.

NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN tied up at Point Loma, San Diego.

Bridge of NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN underway out of San Diego Harbor.

Fantail of the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN while underway from San Diego.

NOAA Ship HENRY B. BIGELOW.

NOAA Ship HENRY B. BIGELOW.

NOAA Ship HENRY B. BIGELOW.

NOAA and Alaska Department of Fish and Game Research Vessel Maintenance Shop.

NOAA Ship MILLER FREEMAN

NOAA Ship MILLER FREEMAN. Killing time between stations.

NOAA Ship HI'IALAKAI with Japanese fisheries training vessel astern.

NOAA Ship HI'IALAKAI

Calm seas and a beautiful sunset framed in the A-frame.

NOAA Ship OSCAR ELTON SETTE

NOAA Ship OSCAR ELTON SETTE

NOAA Ship OSCAR ELTON SETTE

NOAA Ship OSCAR ELTON SETTE

NOAA Ship OKEANOS EXPLORER

NOAA Ship PISCES just prior to launching

NOAA Ship PISCES just prior to launching

NOAA Ship PISCES

NOAA Ship PISCES

NOAA Ship PISCES

NOAA Ship PISCES

NOAA Ship PISCES