From February 23 - March 3, 2022 (Pascagoula, MS to Key West, FL), NOAA Ocean Exploration conducted a shakedown of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV), video, telepresence, and sampling operations as well as mapping and positioning systems aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. The ROV engineers tested and calibrated ROVs Deep Discoverer and Seirios' ROV motor controllers, auto position software, lighting system, hydraulic system, ME-20 low-light camera, high-definition ancillary ROV cameras, sector-scanning sonar, as well as tested remote-piloting capabilities of ROV Deep Discoverer. Shakedown and readiness operations for the EM 304 multibeam sonar included a GNSS Azimuth Measurement Subsystem (GAMS) calibration, Patch Test, speed-noise test, coverage extinction data collection, and integration and testing of the newly installed SeaPath 380-R3. In total, the expedition team conducted 7 ROV dives ranging from 480 to 3,420 m depth and collected 4,930 square kilometers of acoustic data during transits and calibrations. The expedition explored the West Florida Shelf and the Straits of Florida offshore the U.S. southeastern coast. The expedition confirmed the location of a shipwreck target, thought to be a 19th century whaler. Corals and sponges were observed 4 out of the 7 surveyed dive sites, with 3 of the 7 containing high diversities of benthic species. A total of 12 samples were collected: 3 geological, 3 biological, and 6 commensal (not including blank samples).

From March 10 - 28, 2021 (Key West, FL to San Juan, Puerto Rico), NOAA Ocean Exploration conducted mapping operations south of Puerto Rico in U.S. waters, aiding in closing bathymetric gaps within this region. EX-22-02 collected 18,850 square kilometers of bathymetry and associated water column data, 18,033 square kilometers of which were within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and Territorial Sea deeper than 200 m. During mapping operations, NOAA Ocean Exploration simultaneously collected EM 304 multibeam sonar bathymetry observations and Simrad EK60/EK80 split-beam fisheries sonar observations of biologic material in the water column, as well as Knudsen 3260 sub-bottom profiler observations of sub-seafloor geologic structure and sediment. A single CTD cast during the expedition validated deep deployment capabilities in preparation for planned CTD operations on EX-22-03. The exploratory mapping operations conducted during this cruise will provide initial characterization of the region, as well as data to support further exploration.

From May 5 – 26, 2023 (Seattle, Washington, to Dutch Harbor, Alaska), NOAA Ocean Exploration conducted transit and mapping operations off the coast of Washington State, the Gulf of Alaska, and along the Aleutian Islands. The ship departed from Seattle, Washington. Expedition EX-23-02 collected data supporting the Seascape Alaska initiative and used a small, human portable AUV in partnership with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) to aid in locating an aircraft lost in the Aleutian Islands during World War II. Transit mapping data was collected from Seattle, Washington, across the Gulf of Alaska, and along the northern and southern edges of the Aleutian Islands, extending from approximately Unga Island to Gareloi Island. Primary mapping activities focused on the area connecting the Aleutian Arc and the southern end of Bowers Ridge and the area surrounding Bogoslof Island. The ship returned to port in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The exploratory mapping operations conducted on this expedition will aid in future characterization of these unexplored areas and help initial characterization in the region.

From June 5-20, 2023 (Dutch Harbor, Alaska to Kodiak, Alaska), NOAA Ocean Exploration conducted mapping operations off the coast of the Aleutian Islands in U.S. waters, aiding in closing bathymetric gaps within this region. Expedition EX2303 collected 37,601 square kilometers of bathymetry and associated water column within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and Territorial Sea deeper than 200 m. During mapping operations, NOAA Ocean Exploration simultaneously collected EM 304 multibeam sonar bathymetry observations and Simrad EK60/EK80 split-beam fisheries sonar observations of biologic material in the water column, as well as Knudsen 3260 sub-bottom profiler observations of sub-seafloor geologic structure and sediment. A focused survey region targeted potential geological hazards along the Aleutian Trench. During the expedition, one CTD cast collected water samples for environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. The exploratory mapping operations conducted during this cruise will provide initial characterization of the region, as well as data to support further exploration.

From August 1 - August 17, 2023 (Unalaska, Alaska to Kodiak, Alaska), NOAA Ocean Exploration completed the expedition Seascape Alaska 4: Gulf of Alaska Mapping (EX2305). Mapping operations during this 17-day expedition aided in closing bathymetric gaps off the coast of the Aleutian Islands and in the Gulf of Alaska. EX2305 collected 23,591 square kilometers of seafloor bathymetry within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone deeper than 200 m. During mapping operations, NOAA Ocean Exploration simultaneously collected EM 304 multibeam sonar bathymetry observations and Simrad EK60/EK80 split-beam fisheries sonar observations of biologic material in the water column, as well as Knudsen 3260 sub-bottom profiler observations of sub-seafloor geologic structure and sediment. A focused survey region targeted seamounts in the Gulf of Alaska. During the expedition, an EK calibration was completed for the 18, 38, 70, 120, and 200 kHz frequency sonars. The exploratory mapping operations conducted during this cruise will provide initial characterization of the region, as well as data to support further exploration. All data associated with this expedition will be archived within 120 days of the end of the expedition and will be publicly available through the NOAA Archives.

From July 9-30, 2022 (Norfolk, VA to Horta, Faial, Azores) NOAA Ocean Exploration completed the Voyage to the Ridge 2 expedition (EX-22-05), a combined mapping and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) expedition to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Azores Plateau. Operations during this 22-days at sea expedition included the completion of 10 successful ROV exploration dives in the vicinity the Azores and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge north of the Azores. ROV dives were conducted in water depths ranging from 420 m to 3350 m for a total of almost 53 hours of bottom time. EX-22-05 also collected 49,080 square kilometers of seafloor bathymetry and associated water column data using an EM304 multibeam sonar.

This Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) shakedown expedition aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer began in Norfolk, Virginia on June 13, 2021 and concluded on June 28, 2021 in Newport, Rhode Island. This was the first time the ROVs Deep Discoverer and Seirios were mobilized and used for ROV dives since the extensive 2021 winter dry dock repair period. While underway, 24?hour operations focused on preparing remotely operated vehicle (ROV) systems for the remainder of 2021 expeditions. Extensive testing, calibration, and troubleshooting was completed for new ROV motors, motor controllers, cameras, lighting, hydraulic systems, and a navigational sonar during 11 ROV dives. The first five dives progressively got to deeper depths ranging from 670 m to 4370 m with the primary objective of new equipment integration and personnel training. The following five dives were conducted on Caryn Seamount, and the mid-Atlantic canyons Toms, Hudson (twice), and Uchupi. The last dive of the expedition was on a recently discovered sonar anomaly that turned out to be a World War II era submarine, the Humaita (ex-USS Muskallunge). Five biological and three geological samples were collected for later analyses from Caryn Seamount and the mid-Atlantic canyons. Mapping operations during the expedition included continued calibrating and troubleshooting of the ship's new EM304 multibeam sonar and transducer array. Additional mapping operations included improving multibeam bathymetry in previously mapped areas, sub-bottom sonar surveys conducted on the Currituck landslide feature off of North Carolina, EK60 water column sonar survey of the diurnal migration above Hudson Canyon, and searching for underwater cultural heritage sites by observing sonar depth and backscatter anomalies.

From August 23rd - September 14th, 2023 (Kodiak, Alaska to Seward, Alaska), NOAA Ocean Exploration conducted Seascape Alaska 5: Gulf of Alaska Remotely Operated Vehicle Exploration and Mapping (EX2306), a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and mapping expedition to the Gulf of Alaska. Operations during this 23-day expedition included the completion of 19 successful remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives, which were conducted in water depths ranging from 253.1 m to 4261.5 m for approximately 87 hours of bottom time and resulted in the collection of 383 samples. EX2306 also collected more than 28,000 sq. km of seafloor bathymetry and associated water column data using an EM 304 multibeam sonar. All data associated with this expedition will be archived within 120 days of the end of the expedition and will be publicly available through the NOAA Archives.

From August 6 - September 2, 2022 (Horta, Faial, Azores to San Juan, Puerto Rico) NOAA Ocean Exploration completed the Voyage to the Ridge 3 expedition (EX-22-06), a combined mapping and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) expedition to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Azores Plateau, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and U.S. waters in the vicinity of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Operations during this 28-day expedition included the completion of 9 successful ROV exploration dives in the vicinity of the Azores, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge south of the Azores, and Puerto Rico. ROV dives were conducted in water depths ranging from 250 m to 6000 m for a total of 41 hours of bottom time. EX-22-06 also collected 56,769 square kilometers of seafloor bathymetry and associated water column data using an EM304 multibeam sonar. All data associated with this expedition have been archived and are publicly available through the NOAA Archives.

From May 14 - June 7, 2022 (Newport, Rhode Island to St. John's, Newfoundland), NOAA Ocean Exploration conducted mapping operations on the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone, aiding in closing bathymetric gaps within this region. EX-22-04 collected 46,250 square kilometers of bathymetry and associated water column data. During mapping operations, NOAA Ocean Exploration simultaneously collected EM 304 multibeam sonar bathymetry observations and Simrad EK60/EK80 split-beam fisheries sonar observations of biologic material in the water column, as well as Knudsen 3260 sub-bottom profiler observations of sub-seafloor geologic structure and sediment. Additionally, a calibration of the EK60/EK80 transducers was completed. The exploratory mapping operations conducted during this cruise will provide initial characterization of the region, as well as data to support further exploration.