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JUNEAU - A research vessel that has been in service for 58 years has made its last federal research expedition.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel the John N. Cobb suffered a catastrophic engine failure when its crank shaft broke. It towed into Juneau last week.

The Cobb was scheduled to be decommissioned this September, so the decision was made to not repair the engine, said Phil Mundy, director of the Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute.

Mundy said the Cobb is "a grand old lady," and they're sad to see her go.

The Cobb has worked for Juneau's Auke Bay Laboratories since 1969. Most recently, the Cobb had been doing chum salmon forecasts for Southeast Alaska in cooperation with the Department of Fish and Game.

The Cobb's duties for the rest this season will be met by chartering local vessels.