AUSTIN, Texas—Grade school children throughout Texas have the chance to name the latest addition to the fleet of boats at The University of Texas at Austin’s Marine Science Institute. The winner of the naming contest will receive a $100 savings bond from BNP Petroleum Corp. and the opportunity to help christen the boat later this year.
The institute received a $26,900 grant in November from the Corpus Christi-based corporation to purchase a new boat. The following month, the institute in Port Aransas added the 22-foot Boston Whaler to its fleet of 10 crafts. The Boston Whaler, of the type called a Dauntless, will be used to study fish and sea grasses in shallow waters along the coastal bend near Corpus Christi.
“The Boston Whaler is a valuable asset to our bay and estuarine research,” said Dr. Steven Lanoux, assistant director of facilities and boat operations at the Marine Science Institute.
“It can carry heavy loads and is very stable so that our scientific instruments won’t get wet in choppy bay waters.”
Steve Ray, director of public affairs at BNP, said, “This boat is part of BNP’s continuing efforts to ensure that Texas educational facilities remain at the forefront of marine and environmental research and lead the nation in the protection and conservation of our state’s natural resources.”
To enter the contest, students should send the name and a description of less than 50 words of why the name should be selected. The entry should include the student’s name, address, age and school. All entries must be postmarked by Feb. 21, and should be sent to:
NAME THE BOAT Contest
Attn: Steve Ray
BNP Petroleum
500 N. Water Street, Suite 1000
Corpus Christi, TX 78741
For more information contact: Dr. Steve Lanoux, Marine Science Institute, 361-749-6760.
