Oceanographer of the Navy Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet welcomed the scientists, crew and visitors of Research Vessel Neil Armstrong during a ceremony held in celebration of the vessels participation in New York Fleet Week 2017, May 25.

Research Vessel (R/V) Neil Armstrong (AGOR-27), which was one of 13 ships to participate in the Fleet Week Parade of Ships, is the only oceanographic survey ship featured in Fleet Week New York.

"Naval Oceanography and oceanographic survey ships like the Research Vessel Neil Armstrong are more important to the Navy now than ever before," said Gallaudet. "We recognize that our competitors are catching up to us with respect to ocean sciences. In response, and under the direction of the Chief of Naval Operations, we've recently launched Task Force Ocean in an effort to maintain our advantage in our understanding of the world's oceans, as well as our ability to apply that information operationally. The world-class work being by scientists here on this remarkable ship is crucial to keeping our position as the world's most powerful Navy."

R/V Neil Armstrong is owned by the U.S. Navy, but operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The 238-ft research vessel can accommodate 24 scientists and a crew of 20 for up to 40 days at sea. The Neil Armstrong provides scientists access to the sea to take measurements, deploy underwater vehicles and maintain ocean observing stations.

Data collected by oceanographic survey ships and research vessels are utilized and applied by the Navy's Naval Oceanography enterprise to better understand the world's oceans and ultimately protect the fleet and U.S. and U.S. ally interests.

Naval Oceanography encompasses a wide range of missions crucial to supporting today's naval fleet. They include oceanography, hydrography, meteorology, climate science, geospatial information science, astrometry, Earth orientation and precise time.

To learn more about the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy, visit www.Facebook.com/OfficeofTheOceanographerOfTheNavy

To learn more about the Navy's Meteorology and Oceanography Command, visit www.facebook.com/NavalOceanography.