NOAA ships to winter at Seattle cruise ship terminal

SEATTLE (AP) -- Four federal research ships will moor this winter at the Port of Seattle's Terminal 30, which is operated by Cruise Terminals of America.

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spokeswoman, Jeanne Kouhestani (koo-HES'-tahn-ee) at Silver Springs, Maryland, says this is a temporary port for the vessels. Their home pier at Seattle's Lake Union was damaged last year by a fire.

NOAA is still looking for a new home port for its ships. Bellingham is bidding for a lease that would begin in 2011. The ships also could remain in Seattle.

The Port of Seattle says it's pleased to offer the temporary the moorage from November to March to keep the NOAA ships close to local suppliers and researchers at the University of Washington.

Source: ramblernews.com