VIDEO: Sally Ride Christening

This Saturday, The Navy christened Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego’s newest research vessel, the Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research (AGOR) R/V Sally Ride (AGOR 28) in a ceremony held at the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed in Anacortes, Washington.

Dr. Tam O’Shaughnessy, ship’s sponsor for the Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research (AGOR) research vessel (R/V) Sally Ride (AGOR 28), broke a bottle across the bow during a christening ceremony at Dakota Creek Industries, Inc., shipyard in Anacortes, Wash.

Joining O’Shaughnessy on the platform were Dick Nelson, president, Dakota Creek Industries, Inc., Matron of Honor, the reverend Dr. Bear Ride, Matron of Honor, Kathleen Ritzman, assistant director, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, Kathryn Sullivan, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder, chief of naval research.

R/Vs Sally Ride, constructed by Dakota Creek Industries Inc., is a modern research vessels based on a commercial design, capable of integrated, interdisciplinary, general purpose oceanographic research in coastal and deep ocean areas.

The 238-foot (72.5-meter) R/V Sally Ride will be U.S. flagged, staffed by a professional crew, and will be operated by Scripps Oceanography under a charter-party agreement with the Office of Naval Research. Scripps Senior Captain Tom Desjardins is expected to serve as the ship’s first captain.

August 12, 2014