NOAA Ship John N. Cobb (R 552) was a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research vessel. She was built at Western Boatbuilding Company in Tacoma, Washington. She was launched on January 16, 1950 and placed in service on February 18, 1950, by the Fish and Wildlife Service. When NOAA was established in 1970, she became a part of its fleet. She had a wooden hull and a total of 13 bunk spaces. The mess room could serve eight for meals. She carried a complement of two NOAA Corps officers, two licensed engineers, and four other crew members, and could accommodate up to four scientists.