The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has retired the last of its wooden-hulled ships on the same day it commissioned a modern research vessel.

On 13 August, the John N. Cobb was retired in Seattle, Washington, after 58 years of service. The ship conducted fishery studies off the coast of Alaska and was reportedly kept running with parts scavenged from nautical museums.

The John N. Cobb has been retired after 58 years. Credit: J. BORTNIAK/NOAA

Joining the fleet is the Okeanos Explorer, which NOAA purchased from the US navy in 2004. The agency has upgraded the ship, adding two unmanned submersible vehicles, a satellite communications system for conducting experiments remotely and a fresh coat of white paint. The Okeanos Explorer will specialize in mapping and basic exploration of interesting sites. After field testing, the vessel will head to the tropical Pacific.