King County is hosting a contest to name its new 48-foot environmental research vessel, which county field scientists will use to collect samples in Puget Sound, Lake Washington and the Duwamish River and respond to spills. The twin-hulled catamaran will launch next spring. The competition is open to all King County residents.

Residents can submit ideas online at OneKingCounty.info or send an email to website.wtd@kingcounty.gov by Nov. 25.

The top three names will be put to public vote from Dec. 7-24 and a winner will be announced on Jan. 4, 2016.

Names should be short, non-offensive, simple to pronounce, have broad familiarity, carry countywide or regional significance and reflect King County’s image and culture. Names should also represent things such as geographic locations, waterbodies, cities, or have cultural, environmental or nautical significance.

The winner will receive a plaque recognizing their contribution, as well as tour of the new boat when it officially begins service in 2016.