The Mote Marine Laboratory has lost its robotic submarine, Waldo. The sub was on a routine patrol in the Gulf of Mexico for “”https://www.whoi.edu/redtide/“>red tide,” a periodic algal bloom that can devastate local fish populations. For five days it scanned the seas, reporting back every two hours to the scientists running the lab.

Then, without warning, the sub vanished. Researchers aren’t quite sure what happened: Waldo may have sprung a leak, or been picked up by an unsuspecting boater. Regardless, Mote would like it back, says Gary Kirkpatrick, a scientist at the lab. “We’re hoping that if anyone has seen Waldo, they will call and let us know so we can pick it up,” Kirkpatrick said in a press statement.

The laboratory is offering a US$500 no-questions-asked reward for anyone with information leading to the capture of the missing sub. Given the fact the subs cost over $100,000 each, you’d think Mote could pony up a little more cash.

Predictably, the press are having a field day with “”https://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2009/9/5/where39s_waldo_the_answer_could_net_you_500.html?refresh=1">Where’s Waldo?" references. But the Florida Sun Sentinel blog wins hands down for corny headlines with:

Missing: Where in the world is a yellow submarine named Waldo?

Not only do they hit Waldo, but they manage to work in a Beatles reference and a completely gratuitous nod to Carmen Sandiego ! This one’s for you guys:

credit: NOAA