In August 2011, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration moved
its base for research ships from Seattle to Newport. The base has about 110
marine officers and a total of 175 employees. It bases four ships and provides
support for up to two itinerant vessels. NOAA already has some personnel at the
Hatfield Marine Science Center which support the Alaska Fisheries Science
Center and the Northwest Fisheries Science Center. The ships will join the R/V
Oceanus and R/V Elakha which are based at the center
