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 April 4 - 28, 2022, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer sailed to support NOAA Ocean Exploration's Puerto Rico Mapping and Deep-Sea Camera expedition (EX-22-03). The ship departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The mission objectives were two-fold: seafloor mapping in U.S waters offshore of Puerto Rico and testing deep-sea camera systems developed by the Multidisciplinary Instrumentation in Support of Oceanography (MISO) Facility at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) for potential integration into future NOAA Ocean Exploration operations. The primary mapping area of the expedition was the Muertos Trough region and surrounding seamounts in U.S. Caribbean waters around Puerto Rico. In addition, a transit over the 8,000 m deep Puerto Rico Trench was used to test the limits of the new Kongsberg EM 304 MKII multibeam sonar that was installed in 2021. Upon completion of mapping in the priority areas, the expedition focused on testing the integrated deep-sea camera and conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) system to support a number of mission objectives through simultaneous imaging and sampling of the water column. The last portion of the expedition consisted of mapping the high seas and offshore waters of the U.S. East Coast while transiting to the final destination of Newport, Rhode Island.

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 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 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 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 October 21 – November 10, 2023 (San Francisco, California to San Francisco, California) NOAA Ocean Exploration conducted EXPRESS: Exploration of Central California Coast (EX2308), an AUV and mapping expedition, along the central Californian coast. Operations during this 21-day expedition included the completion of 5 successful autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) dives with the University of Southern Mississippi’s (an OECI affiliate) AUVs Eagle Ray and Mola Mola, conducted in water depths ranging from ~400 m to 1954 m for approximately 66 hours and 55 minutes of dive time. EX2308 also collected 22,259 sq. km of seafloor bathymetry and associated water column data using the EM304 multibeam sonar, all within the US EEZ. All data associated with this expedition will be archived within 120 days of the end of the expedition and will be publically available through NOAA Archives.

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 July 14 - July 25, 2023 (Kodiak, Alaska to Unalaska, Alaska), NOAA Ocean Exploration completed the Seascape Alaska 3: Aleutians Remotely Operated Vehicle Exploration and Mapping expedition (EX2304), a combined mapping and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) expedition exploring the deep waters around the Aleutian Islands. Operations during this 12-day expedition included the completion of eight ROV exploration dives, including six full dives and two dives that were abandoned during descent due to various circumstances. ROV dives were conducted in water depths ranging from 780 m to 2800 m for a total of nearly 27 hours of bottom time (not including mid-water transects), focusing on exploring benthic habitats (including seep communities), geohazards, and water column communities. EX2304 also collected over 15,000 square kilometers 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 April 13-27, 2023 (Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington), NOAA Ocean Exploration conducted the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition (EX2301), an ROV and Mapping expedition to a shakedown the remotely operated vehicle (ROV), video, telepresence, seafloor mapping, and sampling operations aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, as well as explore deep waters off the west coast of the United States. Operations during this 15-day expedition included the completion of 9 successful remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives, which were conducted in water depths ranging from 650 m to 3960 m for approximately 45:34 hours of bottom time and resulted in the collection of 92 samples.