New Bedford Whaling Museum lecture series kicks off with the Research Vessel Abel-J

The Sailors’ Series lectures, hosted by the New Bedford Whaling Museum, present a wide variety of experiences and adventures by individuals with lifelong commitments to sailing, boats, and the sea.

This year’s opening lecture will feature stories of the Abel-J, the research vessel that William Watkins journeyed on to gather his foundational recordings of marine mammal bioacoustics.

Captain Bob Wallace, the vessel’s former captain, will talk about how it was uniquely outfitted to Watkins’ specifications for research purposes and will share stories of adventures at sea with the famous researchers who are celebrated in the Museum’s new Whales Today exhibition.

Wallace’s talks, titled The Research Vessel Abel-J: Her Concept and Design, and Tales of Voyages Toward the Ends of the Earth, will begin with a 6 p.m. reception on Thursday, March 21 in the Cook Memorial Theatre at the Whaling Museum.

Tickets are $15 for museum members and $20 for non-members.