I know the Coast Guard has a special program for SMC alumni but I’m curious about NOAA Corps.

I find myself spending more time than I am willing to admit reading about all of NOAAs' and her predecessors ships and operations. I often also come upon information on the WIKI’s that are either wrong or leave me wondering. This time it was the John N Cobb. 

As I always do I doom scroll down to see the ultimate fate of the vessel and expected  “Scrapped in 200X at Blah Blah blah.” But that is not what it read, what it reads is a list of activities almost as rich as her life. 

Donated to Seattle Maritime Academy 2008

Preserved 2009

Sold to private owner 2015

Abandoned and seized 2016

Sold to private owner 2017

It was those last two parts that made me stop and go “Ok… I knew John N Cobb was loved but to be abandoned and then sold again what is going on here”. So as I started digging I stated to learn and love the John N Cobb and figured out why she was saved in 2017. So let me tell you a bit about the last full woodend ship of NOAA, the John N Cobb.

The John N Cobb was originally built for the US Fish and Wildlife and transferred over to NOAA, upon the former's inception.  To say she was a cozy ship would be like understatement of “Alaskan” proportions. She was only 96 feet long and 26 feet wide and had a crew of 13 people packed tight and cozy within. Below are the quick stats on this vessel.

|| || |Displacement|250 tons (full load)| |Length|93 ft (28 m)| |Beam|26 ft (7.9 m)| |Draft|10 ft 10 in (3.30 m)| |Installed power|325 bhp (242 kW)| |Propulsion|Fairbanks-Morse diesel engine, 1 shaft, 25 tons fuel| |Speed|9.3 knots (17.2 km/h; 10.7 mph) (sustained)| |Range|2,900 nmi (5,400 km; 3,300 mi) at 9.3 knots (17 km/h; 11 mph)| |Endurance|13 days| |Boats & landing craft carried|1 × fiberglass utility boat| |Complement|10 (2 NOAA Corps officers, 2 licensed engineers, and 4 other crew members) plus up to 4 scientists^([note 1])| |Notes|60 kilowatts electrical power|

I have had the great chance of working with people that served aboard the ship so the next few stories are ones that I have been told and not found online. The engine was a special beast that ran by a single bike chain to allow it to go from forward to reverse, and it was not unheard of for the bike chain to SNAP and then be stuck in one direction and have to do a QUICK fix!! The galley was essentially the size of a small camper galley with a  single grill and maybe a little accoutrement. The food was not fancy but I have heard nothing but how amazing the food was. 

Ok wait… Let us take a step back. While doing research I found an entire article about the building of this vessel. Which if you are reading this I am sure you will also find SUPER interesting. In good conscience I could not take these words and make them my own so what I ask you to do is PAUSE THIS READ!!! Go pour yourself some of your beverage of choice (mine is bourbon neat) and enjoy this read!!  https://carmelfinley.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/birth-of-the-cobb-january-1950/

Are you back??? Could you smell the wood during her construction?? I could!! Ok so where were we. Oh yea the John N Cobb many accomplishments.

While I would love to wax poetic about her entire career I think that is better fit for a book that I hope someone writes one day. So here is a quick major highlights bullet point list of some of the cool things I found. 

- In the early 1980s, the John N. Cobb collaborated with other research vessels to study juvenile salmon using small mesh purse seines along the coasts of Alaska, British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington.  

- After the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, the Cobb was reactivated to conduct critical research on the environmental impact and supported long-term ecological studies in Prince William Sound.

- From 1997 to 2007, the Cobb pioneered surface rope trawl methods, advancing understanding of biophysical factors influencing salmon populations and establishing the Southeast Coastal Monitoring Project.

- In 2000, the Cobb celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 2004, it assisted in rescuing 86 passengers from the grounded ferry LeConte in Alaska.

- The vessel contributed to long-term killer whale and harbor seal research, and its legacy includes honoring figures like Dr. Richard Carlson with his ashes spread at Auke Bay. 

- Discovery of the Cobb Seamount (more on this later)

- Its last command was Lt. Chad Cary who is now RADM Chad Cary, NOAA Corps director.

For me I joined the NOAA Corps for exploration so the story of the Cobb seamount gave me pause and I wanted to share the story with you.

In August 1950, while trolling for albacore 280 miles off Washington’s coast, the John N. Cobb stumbled upon an unexpected discovery. Steering toward flocks of birds believed to indicate a large school of fish, the crew turned on the depth sounder, expecting to track the fish. To their surprise, they detected not fish, but the ocean floor rising dramatically. At 22 fathoms (132 feet), the debate was settled when the skipper anchored on what was confirmed to be an uncharted underwater mountain. (6)

Excited, they radioed the Montlake Lab to announce their finding: the coordinates of the seamount.

“Cobb located new underwater seamount, 46 45’N, 130 47’W, 280 miles west of Willapa Bay. Level area at 70 fathoms, peak at 22 fathoms” 

The Coast and Geodesic Survey later verified and charted the underwater formation, naming it the Cobb Seamount after the vessel. This remarkable discovery highlighted Cobb's role not just in research, but in uncovering the mysteries of the sea. (6)

Tragically in June 2008 the 58 year old engine finally gave out and the crankshaft was rendered inoperable. After reviewing the cost and time to fix, NOAA made the decision to retire her. Real fast you should know the time to fix was 6 months at most and $250,000.(1,2 )(I mention that because I invite you to do your own research into how much it costs to fix a ship today and oh I invite you to look into a typical dry dock package.)

So after 58 years of service she was retired and given as a gift to Seattle Maritime Academy (in 2008). In 2009 she was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on 11 February 2009. (a very important date for this author). From 2009 - 2015 she sat in the Seattle Maritime Academy harbor and was essentially a museum ship. That crankshaft that brought her to retirement was never repaired and she became waterlogged and like a vehicle abandoned on the street she amounted to enough mooring fees that she had to be sold and moved. A man bought her with the intention of fixing her up, in 2015, but this was never meant to be. Based on my research this man may not have had the best of intentions and left her abandoned. This is where the story could have ended, and where most vessels' history end(9). This is not where the story ends. For along came a hero in 2016 by the name of Ron Sloan who bought her and fixed her up to contour fishery research and real world fishing out of Winchester Aby Oregon. (8)

You can read more about Rob Sloan and his restoration and usage of the John N Cobb here (https://carmelfinley.wordpress.com/2021/02/26/how-ron-got-the-cobb/ and https://carmelfinley.wordpress.com/2017/12/28/cobb-2017-a-good-year/)

The ship was in rough shape!! Mold, gear torn out, not maintained, oh and that crankshaft was still not repaired. Ron Sloan as of 2017 has repaired the vessel and oh yea REPAIRED THE CRANKSHAFT!!! Needless to say that Ron Sloan saved this vessel and not only saved her but is using her to this day. Which for me is what really matters. While a museum ship is all well and good, nothing beats a working museum ship sailing laps around all these fancy new ships that may not even have people aboard. 

Thank you for reading through my little post about the John N Cobb. I plan to do more of these in the future and dive into the history of retired NOAA and Coast and Geo ships. If you have one you'd like to see me dive into please comment below. If you say Pathfinder I will say two things to you. 1) Which one?? And 2) THAT IS A NOVEL!! I have researched so much on that vessel that I need a full novel to talk about it. 

For more on the John N Cobb and a bit of my bibliography see below. 

1. Experts from The NOAA Ship John N. Cobb Leaves a Rich Legacy https://apps-afsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/Quarterly/amj2008/items1.htm
2. The John N. Cobb Leaves a Rich Legacy https://apps-afsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/Quarterly/amj2008/amj08items.pdf
3. NOAA Ship John N. Cobb Named to National Register of Historic Places https://maritime-executive.com/article/2009-02-19-noaa-ship-john-n-cobb-named-national-register-historic-places
4. NOAA retires the wood-hulled John N. Cobb, its oldest ship https://professionalmariner.com/noaa-retires-the-wood-hulled-john-n-cobb-its-oldest-ship
5. Finley, Carmel, "The John N. Cobb to go for tuna!," carmelfinley.wordpress.com, August 24, 2017 Retrieved August 26, 2018  (Current Location of the Cobb)
6. A visit to the r/V John N. Cobb, 2013 https://carmelfinley.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/a-visit-to-the-rv-john-n-cobb-2013/
7. A visit to the r/V John N. Cobb, 2014 https://carmelfinley.wordpress.com/2014/09/20/rv-john-n-cobb-visit-august-2014/
8.  https://carmelfinley.wordpress.com/2021/02/26/how-ron-got-the-cobb/
9. https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/news/webb-of-deception/

Hi guys!

Here's a link to what I'm referring to:

I planned to attend the Tuesday and Wednesday networking and information sessions for this hiring fair. However, due to the federal hiring freeze, both of these events got canceled, cutting my ability to just meet people face to face and hear about their experiences.

If you or someone you knew was going to attend this event, please shoot me a message! Even if you were not going to attend, and would like to talk with me about your experiences applying, or being in the NOAACorps or being/interacting with researchers, please reach out. I am looking to learn from your story.

Thank you so much!

Hi all! Thinking of sending in an application for this next BOTC (the one due feb14). I set up a phone call/google meet with a recruiter and I’m not sure what to expect. Should I come prepared with questions? The thing I’m most worried about is being disqualified for mental health, but I know I can’t get a solid answer on that until MEPS. Any thoughts or experience anyone has with these scheduled recruiter chats would be appreciated :)

I’ll be starting a graduate program at SUNY maritime soon. My undergraduate degree was in liberal arts. I came across this subreddit and saw that the 48 semester hour stem requirement. I’m wondering whether the 62 undergraduate level licensing credits in ship handling and navigation I take will count toward the STEm requirement ? Thanks.

Hey all,

One of the new presidential actions listed on whitehouse.gov is a federal hiring freeze. It states "This order does not apply to military personnel of the armed forces or to positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety." Is there a NP Officer that knows if this will freeze NOAA corps hiring? Or is the corps included in this statement?

Thanks!

Hey all! I have MEPS this week for BOTC146 and was wondering if I should have a clean shaven face? Or as long as you dont look homeless I should be okay? I know its "just" MEPS but I don't want to make a bad Impression?

I’ll add a little context before I explain further. I’m currently active duty military and looking to commission in another branch after getting out and going to college. I’m very interested in the NOAA Corps and was hoping to get some insight in what the corps looks for in applicants besides the minimum requirements. Specifically, besides having a bachelors with STEM credits what degrees are the most desirable? What kind of job experience would be helpful? Certifications, skills, life experiences? I’m aware I shouldn’t base my life off of a job I might not end up even doing, but if I can make myself a better applicant while pursuing my goals then why not? Thanks!

Edit: just to clarify, I have read Q4 in the FAQ. Just asking for more clarification.

Do we think BOTC 148 will open within the coming weeks/months?

How long is BOTC training? I have read 12 weeks and 19 weeks.

Do you get to choose location preferences or is on the needs of NOAA corps?

Hello I am a current high alternate candidate for BOTC 146 with high hopes of joining. I was wondering if a current or former Aviator could tell me about their experience at BOTC and their initial assignment? It would also be helpful if they had also joined as part of the direct to aviation pathway as I am hoping to do. Thank you!

Where was your first duty station after you finished training?

Hi All! I am an undergraduate student who has been interested in the NOAA Corps since Highschool. I am now in my third year and am still planning on applying upon graduating! I have always been interested in the mariner aspect of the NOAA Corps but recently I have been specifically interested in working aboard NOAA's hydrographic vessels. This upcoming summer, I will be interning with the NOAA Office of Coast Survey where I may have the chance to come aboard a survey leg which I am very excited about! While I understand that as a uniformed service, the needs of the service come first, I had some questions about getting assigned as a JO aboard a hydrographic vessel:

1. During BOTC, is there a way to indicate that you would prefer to have a hydro billet?
2. As a JO, my understanding is that your first task when joining the ship is to qualify as an OOD in port and then underway. Would you learn to process the hydrographic data at the same time as this qualification process?
3. Aboard a hydro ship, can you still get training in being a small boat coxswain or NOAA diver?
4. It is my understanding that once you start your land billet, you still go out to sea occasionally to augment/replace officers. As a hydro officer, can you only augment other hydro vessels or are you able to experience oceanographic/fisheries aswell?
5. Are there any skills I can learn now that would serve me well in the hydro community?
6. What are some pros/cons of being aboard a hydro vessel as opposed to a fisheries or oceanographic vessel?

Thank you in advance!!

Hello,

I have just come to discover that the NOAA corps does Hurricane Hunter missions. This has garnered my interest recently as I have begun to look into eligibility requirements.

I am wondering if there are any active/retired NOAA pilots in the Northeast Region who I could meet/fly/pick their brains. If not Northeast then any where else to at least network with.

The nature of the NOAA flying missions seems right up my alley of interest. Flying disaster reconassiance/relief, wildlife/nature study missions. Being a leader all through out everything you do, taking the initiaitve.

I have a mechanical engineering degree, and am now working towards my ASEL CPL, and then AMEL CPL if all goes okay. Already have PPL and IR.

Thank you for your time!

Hello,

Just a quick question about medical standard for aviation in NOAA. Does NOAA follow the USCG standards or do they have their own?

I am interested in aviation. I have a current FAA first class medical but I have a history of surgeries and went through psychotherapy for anxiety and depression. The surgeries and therapy didn’t stop me from getting an FAA medical but I’m wondering if they would disqualify me from flying for NOAA.

So just wanted to get informed about NOAA’s standards to see what I’m up against.

Thank you!

Hey all, non selected for BOTC 146. Will reapply to BOTC 147. I was just curious if anyone monitoring this page/anyone you know did not get selected first go around and was then on a second or third try. Thanks and hope somone is willing to share their experience.

I'm 21 and due to graduate with my bachelors in aerospace engineering next May. I was drawn to the idea of joining NOAA Corps for the adventure, scientific missions, and service aspects. I love engineering but the idea of adventure and supporting some really cool missions while still young appeals to me more than going straight to a 9-5 desk job for the rest of my life. I'm due to graduate with a decent but not remarkable GPA (3.4/3.5 out of 4.0) and about 9 months of manufacturing process engineering experience.

Any other engineering degree holders willing to share their experiences?

Hello all, I’m considering applying as the focus of the NOAA Corps really aligns with my own values and seems a great way to involve myself in conservation/science/stewardship in a meaningful way. I’m hoping someone could give some insight into what training and or life is like in basic terms.

In full honesty I’m trying to assuage my own fears on a couple things. I’m 31 and have over the last several years finally developed what I’d call my sense of self. In media they always play up training to be in uniform as “tearing you down to build you into something they can use”. I’m sure it’s played up but it still weighs on me when I consider. The image of an officer shouting insults at me in order to get me to perform has always been something that turned me off of pursuing something like this before.

Appreciate any insight. Thanks!!

Hey there,

I am aware that, like the armed forces, NOAA Corps officers move around a lot. Could someone who has been in the corps awhile tell me a little of what that's like? No one in my family has ever been in the military, so I have little knowledge of the moving around aspect.

My wife and I would love to eventually buy a house to be close to family, for medical/health reasons (parents are getting older), and I am wondering if that's easy/doable if get end up joining the corps.

Thanks!

ps I know the gist of the billets; 2 years at sea, 3 years on land. I guess I am asking if people are able to get billets in similar areas for extended periods.

Ahoy all! I’m starting BOTC 145 in a few weeks. Super excited, been waiting for this opportunity for many years.

I’ve gleaned from both the history of the Corps and my selection process that we could be integrated into the armed forces during war time. I know what I signed up for, and it was made evident from the many officers I spoke with during selection.

I would just like some more specifics on what geopolitical conditions would have to take place in order for this to happen? Are we talking a WWIII or could this integration take place at any time?

Hello all! So glad I found out about this interesting career. I plan on emailing a recruiter after Thanksgiving to get more information. I have a few questions about becoming a NOAA Corps Mariner. For some background, my degree is called Natural Resources and Environment Science and I will be graduating in fall 2025 from the University of Illinois, I definitely have the 48 stem credit hours.

1. I keep seeing Aeronautics, Engineer, and Marine type majors and I am a bit intimidated. Do I stand a chance to get in without marine or engineering type experience?

2. What would be a good way to spend this summer to potentially prepare me for applying (as this is my last summer between college semesters). Im going to look at NOAA student opportunities but would love to hear suggestions or what some of you did to prepare.

3. In the 2-3 years on and off a ship, is it possible to travel to see family? It’s definitely not a deal breaker or something I am too worried about but just curious.

I have been debating posting this usually because i don’t think i need help, but i am sort of lost. Only discovering this due to a job i saw posted online a few months back.

I am new to the uniformed services and only having a younger brother being our only family member enlisted (E-4). I talked to him about NOAA and he had limited knowledge about it. But I’m halfway through my application and I’m stuck on the essay portion. I’ve spent weeks and weeks studying NOAA and i have a degree in aeronautics , I have a very high interest in joining but i still don’t particularly know the “why” portion. Some Of their missions have had my interest when i was in college. Our university had a weather station that uses NOAA’s satellites. I’ve even lost nearly 20 pounds due to the strict weight requirements for the CG.

To anyone that got in, did you have this issue?

Friendly reminder. People that go flight get a retention bonus in the thousands to hundred thousands. Those that go to sea get divorced.

Hi! I am an oceanographic physicist looking to join the NOAA Corps. My partner is a naval aviator, and I was curious if anyone knew how colocation worked between NOAA and the Navy. He flies Romeo helicopters, so I know there are some places with some overlap, such as San Diego (I think).

Was interested in the aviation path with NOAA, as I have my commercial multi-engine and instrument ratings. But I was curious how much flying NOAA pilots actually do on average? Are there large portions of time in the year where you don’t fly? Depends on mission? What’s average?

I applied to the NOAA Corps. I noticed there are two selections maritime and aviation

Do I need to apply to both positions to increase my chances or are candidates selected from a pool of applicants?

I've applied to the Officer Corps and I'm wondering if anyone knows where possible duty stations would be?

I've read about possibilities of going to the South Pole or Hawaii. Anyone know of other possible locations?

I've also read. Connecticut and Virginia

Looks like this ONLY works if you are connected to your email. But some cool kid did this

www.noaanjac.com