King County’s new research vessel ‘Soundguardian’ took its maiden voyage Wednesday. Aboard were members of the iconic Seattle band it’s named after, King 5 reports.
“The music we created in the 80s and 90s – a lot of it was drawn from our environment,” said Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron.
Cameron and guitarist, Kim Thayil, both say they were shocked to learn King County’s new research vessel would use a play on their name.
“The same sense of pride that Matt has, I also share with him and the rest of our band,” Thayil told a crowd gathered for the vessel’s dedication on Wednesday morning.
The Soundguardian replaces the Liberty, the boat scientists have used since 1977 to monitor water quality around Puget Sound.
Matt Cameron, drummer for Soundgarden, signs a placard that will be in SoundGuardian, county's new research vessel pic.twitter.com/EOG5JBYeou
— Dow Constantine (@kcexec) June 29, 2016
Kim Thayil of Soundgarden here to help launch SoundGuardian, King County's new environmental research vessel pic.twitter.com/ulvJwx3DLx
— Dow Constantine (@kcexec) June 29, 2016
Matt Cameron & Kim Thayil of Soundgarden join Exec for maiden voyage of SoundGuardian, KC's new research vessel pic.twitter.com/m0q96bqt5E
— Dow Constantine (@kcexec) June 29, 2016
With @soundgarden @Mitch_Pittman aboard @KingCountyWTD new research vessel – the "Soundguardian" pic.twitter.com/X1QIXfIOlG
— Alison Morrow (@AlisonMorrowK5) June 29, 2016
Science & the environment take center stage w/ music legends, Soundgarden on the new research vessel SoundGuardian pic.twitter.com/fjoNFylbYa
— King County DNRP (@KCDNRP) June 29, 2016