As part of the tour, Healey and her team visited the vessels, vehicles, and people that make WHOI’s research possible. The governor stopped to chat and shake hands with R/V Tioga Captain Pete Collins and First Mate Jim Missios, and expressed her thanks for their support of water-quality research in Cape Cod Bay.
“We’ve got the best job,” Capt. Collins told the governor.
“I think I’ve got the best job,” Gov. Healey responded. “But I appreciate that.”
After hearing about REMUS autonomous underwater vehicles from Carl Hartsfield at the Oceanographic Systems Laboratory and peering inside an HOV Alvin personnel sphere, Gov. Healey noticed Dive Operations Manager Ed O’Brien and his colleague, Kim Malkoski, walking by in their dive gear. She asked them about their work and was impressed to hear that they dive year-round (the water was 38ºF that day).
“I was PADI certified at one point,” the governor said. “I’m overdue for a dive.”
