On January 15, 2008 R/V MANTA hit the water for the first time, at the shipyard in Bellingham, WA.
Following a series of sea trials and scientific operations with Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary in March 2008, the MANTA was placed aboard another vessel and literally "shipped" to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Images from those shakedown cruises are visible below.
From Fort Lauderdale, the MANTA headed to Galveston, with stops at Key West and St. Petersburg, FL for small open houses along the way. She arrived at the Texas A&M Galveston docks on Monday, June 16, 2008.
The official dedication ceremony for R/V MANTA took place at Pier 21 in Galveston on Friday, June 27, 2008. Dr. Sylvia Earle christened the MANTA by breaking a bottle of champagne across the starboard rail.
For more information about R/V MANTA:
Visit our Research Vessel page.
View images of the MANTA Under Construction, from design to launch.
View images of the MANTA Dedication.
Click on a picture below to see a larger, hi-resolution image. All images should be credited to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS).
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Captain Chuck Curry at the helm of the R/V Manta during its first week of sanctuary operations. |
Emma Hickerson taking a turn at the wheel of the R/V Manta. |
Dan Basta, director of the National Marine Sanctuary Program, standing at the chart table in the pilot house.
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Woohoo! Proof that the Manta can operate at speeds up to 34 knots under optimal conditions.
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G.P. Schmahl on board the Manta with scenic Lake Washington shoreline in the background. |
G.P. getting into his dry suit for the first leap off the Manta. |
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G.P. and Dan Basta discuss operational details with Mitchell Tart. |
Mitchell putting the final touches on G.P.'s hood. |
Dan putting on his dive gloves. |
G.P. Schmahl and Dan Basta on the portside dive platform with Mitchell Tart. |
In keeping with tradition, Dan Basta makes the first leap off the new vessel.
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G.P. and Dan beginning their snorkel operations in the cold waters of Lake Washington.
Photo credit: FGBNMS |
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G.P. and Dan conduct a hull inspection along the water line of the R/V Manta.
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Looking down at G.P. and Dan through the moonpool hatch on the main deck. G.P. and Dan are underneath the Manta between the two hulls.
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Tracy Hamburger operating an ROV off the back deck of the Manta.
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Dan and G.P. observing ROV operations from the water.
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Dan Basta, first in and first out!
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G.P. tests out the shower on the portside dive platform.
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Dan, Mitchell and G.P. pose following the Manta's first snorkel operation.
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Emma Hickerson joins Dan, Mitchell and G.P.
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Emma Hickerson and G.P. Schmahl man the lines as the Manta approaches the locks between Lake Washington and Puget Sound.
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Emma and G.P. at the bow of the Manta as the locks open.
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Two researchers preparing the sidescan equipment for operations. |
Two researchers continue rigging the sidescan equipment.
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