Scripps Oceanography retires seagoing research platform after 61 years

FLIP aided better understanding of the ocean, including how sound travels in it, and could move from a horizontal position to vertical while at sea

When Bruce Appelgate was in fourth grade, he read a book featuring world explorers. Among them was the FLoating Instrument Platform, or FLIP.

Little did Appelgate know that one day, not only would he be on FLIP, he would be head of ship operations at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla as part of his career.

“(FLIP) captured my attention,” said Appelgate, who is now associate director of Scripps Oceanography. “So many people I talk to learned about FLIP in grade school (and it) inspired them in later life. The legacy of FLIP is that it inspired so many people at Scripps to continue to think big and take risks.”

FLIP also helped facilitate understanding of the ocean, including how sound travels in it, during the post-World War II era of heightened ocean study.

On Aug. 3, however, FLIP was retired after 61 years. It was towed to a dismantling and recycling facility, six years after its last research voyage and three years after officials determined that the costs to renovate it could not be justified, according to Scripps.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/science/story/2023-08-15/la-jollas-scripps-oceanography-retires-seagoing-research-platform-after-61-years