‘Name our Vessel’ Contest – Winner Announced

Earlier this fall, the Marine Institute launched the ‘Name our Vessel’ contest for students, faculty, staff and alumni to help name its latest training and research vessel. Nearly 70 entries were received and we’re pleased to announce that the former Canadian Coast Guard vessel Shamook (currently referred to as 2013-2) will now be known as the MV Inquisitor

Kayla Tidd, an advanced diploma student in the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management program at the Institute submitted the winning entry. Kayla hails from a small fishing community in Nova Scotia and is currently on a work term in her home province. She is on track to graduate this spring.

Entries were accepted up until October 9, 2015 and participants were asked to provide background on the name they proposed. Kayla’s rationale for her entry was: “The vessel challenges the science of Newfoundland's coastline as a research tool, showing the Marine Institute's innovation and leadership in marine curiosity in relation to academia and industry.”

Built in 1975, the vessel spent most of her career in fisheries research off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. At MI, she is involved in inshore education and training, as well as research as part of the Institute’s efforts to train future leaders for roles in marine industries.

The goal was to find a name that would bring to life both the vessel’s significant history in fisheries science off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador and speak to its new role in education, training and research. Names that focused on geography, other parts of our province’s history or history pertaining to the Marine Institute were also considered.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the contest – the entries were fantastic! Congratulations to Kayla, who will receive an Apple Watch for her winning entry.