R/V PLANET

R/V Planet started her life in May 1927 as an Active Class Cutter for the US Coast Guard and was named Yeaton. She was designed to case the "Rum-Runners & Mother Ships" during the time of Prohibition in the US. In 1941 Yeaton was coming under control of the US Navy, classifying her as a patrol craft / sub chaser with the hull no. WPC / WSC -156. During the times of WW II she operated in caribbean waters (acc. to the limited information available). After World War II, Yeaton resumed operation with the Coast Guard, out of New London, Conn.. Coast guard reclassified her in 1962 as medium endurance cutter (WMC-156). In 1969, the vessel was taken out of active service and purchased in 1970 by the Smithsonian Institute & Harbour Branch Foundation in order to convert her into a submarine support and research vessel. The vessel was completely rebuilt in the early 70th and served from 1972 until the 90th. As R/V Johnson and later R/V Edwin Link she was based at the Smithsonian Marine Station..