NOAA Ocean Exploration Operations on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

Control room on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

The control room on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during a remotely operated vehicle dive.

 

In Port

NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer is in port following the Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea Mapping 3 expedition, focused on waters generally deeper than 200 meters (656 feet) in and around Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Collected data will contribute to Beyond the Blue: Illuminating the Pacific, a multiyear, collaborative science and research campaign aimed at bringing together partners to raise collective knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of waters in the Pacific Islands region through coastal and ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization.

About the Ship

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

Meet the Ship

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is the only federal vessel dedicated to exploring our largely unknown ocean for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge about the deep ocean.

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When it first appeared in the Benthic Deepwater Animal Identification Guide, this sponge was unknown to science. It has since been formally described and given the name Advhena magnifica (meaning "magnificent alien")

Benthic Deepwater Animal Identification Guide

A popular and trusted ocean science community resource used (and contributed to) by ocean scientists around the world to help identify animals seen during deep-ocean exploration.

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Get Involved

Get Involved

From scientists and students to members of the general public, learn how to get involved with expeditions led by NOAA Ocean Exploration on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.

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Browse Expeditions

Follow expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer while underway or retrace past expeditions. For each expedition, you'll find content ranging from stories to images and videos.

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