The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened up its deck and doors of its Lake Guardian Research Vessel to the public in Sault Ste. Marie Thursday.

The vessel was docked at the Museum Ship Valley Camp while offering five guided tours.

At 180 feet, the Lake Guardian is the EPA's largest research vessel. It is owned by the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO). The Lake Guardian assists GLNPO in monitoring and reporting on the status and trends of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Annual surveys that sample water and biological life at designated locations in all five Great Lakes) are conducted by the crew on the vessel. The Lake Guardian also provides educational opportunities around the Great Lakes basin.

Opening up the vessel with free tours gives the public a chance to see

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