Rock the boat: Soundgarden members attend launch of new research vessel SoundGuardian https://t.co/AY34KWpUZ4 pic.twitter.com/ko2c2vQ60s
— GeekWire (@geekwire) June 29, 2016
While the rest of the world was going nuts over Boaty McBoatface, another science boat was getting a name by internet poll, and this one turned out just fine. The waters of the Pacific Northwest will be monitored by the new vessel the SoundGuardian.
The name for King County’s new 48-foot, twin-hulled environmental research vessel was announced in January after a naming contest drew 319 votes. SoundGuardian led the way with 178 votes. The runners up were “Cascadia,” with 126 votes, and “SeaKing,” with 15 votes.
According to the county’s news release, Environmental Laboratory field scientists will use the SoundGuardian “to collect water quality data in Puget Sound, Lake Washington and the Duwamish River. The new vessel, which will replace the 40-year-old Liberty, will be cleaner, more efficient and safer to operate in rough waters.”
What’s even neater is that the Seattle band Soundgarden blessed the SoundGuardian personally. Drummer Matt Cameron and guitarist Kim Thayil came to the official christening Wednesday. Read more about the boat and the christening ceremony at GeekWire. -via Atlas Obscura