The MBARI Western Flyer (named after John Steinbeck's boat that voyaged into the Sea of Cortez in the 1940's) is truly out of Jacques Cousteau. The area between the hulls is a moon pool with a crane for the remote operated vehicle (ROV or submersible) launches, and a huge ROV operations room with space for the ROV operator, the ROV arm manipulator, scientist and some first class airline seats for the viewing audience (the kids were most impressed with the potential to watch Disney Channel on about 4 different big screens in the ROV operations room). The ROV is named Doc Rickets after Steinbeck's sidekick (and some say primary source/author) of the Log of the Sea of Cortez.

We learned that pink yard flamingos are used to mark locations on the ocean floor- sadly, these flamingos are no longer in production, no doubt resulting in a crushing blow to marine research.

We also saw crews quarters, the galley (had a little snack), the bridge deck (not a wheel to be seen actually, steering is done with thrusters and remotely operated rudders - Bay Wolf is an incredibly simple boat!), and the generator rooms in the hulls. Propulsion is by diesel generators that power electric motors!

After our tour, Miya and Romi enjoyed playing with the other kids who were around for Memorial Day Weekend while we got to know better some of the members of the yacht club some of whom had cruising dreams. We enjoyed a yummy chicken cacciatore dinner!