NOAA announces plan to upgrade ships

WASHINGTON - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has completed a detailed plan to modernize its marine operations by replacing nine research ships and refurbishing a 10th in the next 15 years. The 19-ship fleet supports a wide range of activities, including fisheries and coastal research, nautical charting, and long-range ocean and climate studies. Nine vessels entered into service since 2001. Two additional ships will enter service in the next year, with one homeported in Mississippi and the other on the West Coast. VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, Miss. is a major builder of NOAA ships. (Source: NOAA, 10/23/08)