A NOAA Ship RAINIER survey launch seen against the backdrop of the verdant hills of the Pavlof Islands.

NOAA Ship NANCY FOSTER seen in a hazy afternoon in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship was conducting studies in the vicinity of the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Commissioning ceremony for NOAA Ship FERREL.

NOAA Ship HENRY BIGELOW seen in the sunset during Deepwater Horizon disaster studies.

NOAA Ship HENRY B. BIGELOW during Deepwater Horizon disaster studies.

NOAA Ship GORDON GUNTER during Deepwater Horizon disaster studies.

A view looking to the starboard quarter of the NOAA Ship HENRY B. BIGELOW while conducting operations at the Deepwater Horizon disaster site.

A view looking to the starboard side of the NOAA Ship GORDON GUNTER while conducting operations at the Deepwater Horizon disaster site.

Commander Jeremy Adams on the left, commanding officer of the NOAA Ship PISCES, monitoring its transit through the many ships and other craft on-site at the Deepwater Horizon disaster well relief effort.

The remains of the NOAA Ship GEORGE B. KELEZ rotting at the pier. The ship on the right is the GEORGE B. KELEZ. It still has its blue stripe on the stack.

NOAA Ship HENRY B. BIGELOW under construction

NOAA Ship OSCAR DYSON (R224)

NOAA Ship OSCAR DYSON (R224)

Painting of NOAA Ship PISCES superimposed on a chart of the Gulf of Mexico.

On the bridge of the NOAA Ship PISCES on location at the Deepwater Horizon site. Commanding officer Commander Jeremy Adams on left.

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA (R227) and PISCES (R226)

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA (R227) and PISCES (R226)

NOAA Ship BELL SHIMADA (R227) and PISCES (R226)

Starboard quarter view of NOAA Ships BELL SHIMADA (R227) and PISCES (R226)

Bow view of NOAA Ships BELL SHIMADA (R227) and PISCES (R226)

Bow view of NOAA Ships BELL SHIMADA (R227) and PISCES (R226)

Starboard quarter view of NOAA Ships BELL SHIMADA (R227) and PISCES (R226)

NOAA Ships GORDON GUNTER on left and HENRY B. BIGELOW on right

NOAA Ship OSCAR ELTON SETTE (R335) at pier

NOAA Ship OSCAR ELTON SETTE (R335) at pier

NOAA Ship OSCAR ELTON SETTE (R335) at pier

Survival suit drill on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)

Survival suit drill on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)

Survival suit drill on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)

Working on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333).

Working on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333).

Working on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333).

Working on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333).

Working on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333).

Working on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333).

The NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333) approaching Tahiti.

The NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333) tied up at Papeete, Tahiti.

The NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333) tied up at Pohnpei, Chuuk.

Navigational display during buoy operations on The NOAA Ship

Looking aft on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333) prior to deploying instrument package.

Pollywogs during equator crossing ceremony on NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)

Pollywog being hosed down during equator crossing ceremony NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)

Pollywogs providing entertainment for shellbacks during equator crossing ceremony on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)

Pollywog displaying name tag during equator crossing ceremony on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)

All Back Full Wog displaying name tag during equator crossing ceremony on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)

A pollywog during a trip to the royal barber during equator crossing ceremony on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)

Pollywog walking the plank while shellbacks enhance the experience during equator crossing ceremony on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)

Jethro wog during a trip to the royal barber during equator crossing ceremonies on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)

The royal barber foiled by a smart pollywog during equator crossing ceremonies on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)

Pollywog grateful for being able to take a bath during equator crossing ceremonies on the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA (R333)