It was a tough decision, but after reviewing 93 fantastic ideas in a contest to name our new environmental research vessel, we selected three to move on to the voting round:

• SoundGuardian
• SeaKing
• Cascadia

Now it’s your turn to choose!

Vote for your favorite at onekingcounty.info through Dec. 24. The winner will be announced on Jan. 4 and receive a commemorative plaque as well as tour of the new boat when it officially begins service in the summer of 2016.

The new vessel, which is currently under construction at Vigor/Kvichak Marine in Ballard, is a 48-foot twin-hulled catamaran that will replace The Liberty, which has been in operation for nearly 40 years.

King County field scientists will use it to monitor environmental conditions around our local waterways and shorelines.

Visit online for more information about the mission of King County’s Environmental Lab.