Local busybodies may recall earlier this year when Cal Poly Humboldt announced it would soon be the proud owner of a new $7.9 million ocean research vessel to replace the retiring R/V Coral Sea. (We are just burning through that $458 million, aren’t we?)

Well, Cal Poly Humboldt’s acquisition of its 78-foot catamaran will come before we know it, but while we’re waiting: What should we call this thing? CPH has recruited us all to help it decide! Currently the university is running a survey inviting local boat-naming enthusiasts to pick a moniker for their new cruisin’ machine, which you can access here. (Be quick! The deadline is Friday, Nov. 1.)

Now, in a move that one can assume is a light attempt to thwart any “Boaty McBoatface“-type fun — Jah forbid! — Humboldt’s always-very-serious institute of higher learning has provided us with a list of potential names for their new toy, which we’ve listed in our poll below. We must warn you: The names are not fun in any way. But! If you head over to the CPH website to register a vote that might actually count for something, it is also possible to suggest a name, provided it falls in line with their guidelines.

Anyway, you can show your approval for Cal Poly Humboldt’s preselected names by voting in our poll below.

(Note: LoCO may have slipped in one lightly playful name into our poll options which Cal Poly Humboldt is totally free to use if they would like. *Wink*)

* - that one’s ours. Get it?