Senior Naval Military Officer Visits WHOI

COURTESY OF THE WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION: Adm. John Richardson, the Chief of Naval Operations, visits the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution earlier this month. (Photo by Jayne Doucette, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

WOODS HOLE – The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution received a special visit earlier this month from the senior military officer in the U.S. Navy.

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson toured several of WHOI’s science and engineering facilities on September 9.

Global ocean research projects and marine technology advances were among the topics discussed during the visit.

Richardson heard from researchers about international collaborations in the Indian Ocean and the East China Sea, along with U.S.-based projects focused on climate, fisheries, and storms and hurricanes.

“Admiral Richardson recognizes the importance of basic ocean science in helping the Navy fulfill its mission,” said Mark Abbott, WHOI president and director, in a statement. “WHOI is an important partner with the potential to enhance naval capabilities and operations. In addition, through our work with scientists around the world, WHOI fulfills a ‘science diplomacy’ role that supports U.S. international relations.”

Navy funding accounts for about 10 percent of WHOI’s sponsored research budget.

WHOI also maintains and operates two Navy-owned research vessels for use by the U.S. scientific community: the Atlantis and Neil Armstrong. WHOI also operates the Navy-owned submersible Alvin, which is the country’s deepest diving, human-occupied research submarine.