Join A team of scientists and technicians both at-sea and on shore will they conduct exploratory investigations on the diversity and distribution of deep-sea habitats and marine life in the vicinity of the Galapagos Islands. The 50-day expedition will be divided into two 'legs' and includes work in Ecuador, Costa Rica, and international waters. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/dailyupdates.html http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/background/plan/media/galrex2011_signature_image_100.jpg http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/dailyupdates.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer A bright pink Holothurian sea cucumber rests beneath large 'pillows' of cooled lava that have since been coated in sediment. Sea cucumbers typically make up a large proportion of the total deep-sea biomass. Thu, 23 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/movies/0723_sea_cucumber_video.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer These unique Polychaete worms, with long squid-like tentacles used for breathing, were seen undulating through the water column or resting near the seafloor. Wed, 22 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/movies/0722_polychaete_worm_video.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer This octopus and several like it were observed for lengthy periods between ship moves, on numerous ROV dives. Once disturbed by the ROV, it exhibited various defense strategies before finally swimming away. Tue, 21 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/movies/0721_octopus_video.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The Galapagos Rift Expedition (EX1103) has now concluded. At 0700 the ship arrived just offshore of Panama City. Panama Canal representatives came on board to conduct the required inspections for canal transit. The ship is now pier-side until the scheduled Panama Canal transit on August 2. While many of the Team will be staying on board for the Mid-Cayman Expedition, there will be several personnel changes over the next 72-hrs, The big question on everyone's mind is whether or not the VSAT satellite antenna problems that limited telepresence connectivity during the Galapagos Rift Expedition will be fixed before the ship departs for the Mid-Cayman. We should know for sure within a few days. Thu, 28 Jul 2011 212:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july28_update1.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The Galapagos Rift 2011 Expedition is winding down. Multibeam mapping operations continued throughout the day. Most Mission Personnel focused their efforts on documenting expedition results, developing standard cruise products, and preparations for arrival in Panama City. Thu, 27 Jul 2011 20:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july27_update1.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer All ROV dive and primary mapping operations may be completed for this expedition but there isn't much time to rest yet. We only have about 1.5 days of transit left before we arrive in Panama on the morning of July 28. That is not much time for Mission personnel to review and complete the long list of expedition products we are expected to have finished when we hit the dock. Ship personnel are working to catch action items that couldn't be tackled during primary operations. Thu, 26 Jul 2011 20:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july26_update1.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer At 1700, the tandem of the Institute for Exploration's Little Hercules ROV and NOAA's Seirios camera sled were again resting on the fantail of the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. The ship is headed east to map along the Ecuador Rift before turning north to continue along the Ecuador Fracture Zone. After today's recovery - the last of the Galapagos Expedition - we now have 12 safe and successful deep-water ROV dives in 12 consecutive days. That is a pretty good run particularly when you consider all of the potential problems that can and do occur. Thu, 25 Jul 2011 17:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july25_update1.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer There is much to do before our last possible dive on Monday, July 25. Though we completed a very successful ROV dive on the off-axis sulfide mounts today, the ROV Team will likely be working late into the evening. Serios's HMI lights failed soon after this morning's launch and a vertical thruster on Little Hercules also failed. The Team expects the HMI light issue will be a relatively easy fix. However, The vertical thruster is likely more problematic. The thruster had failed the previous day and had been replaced with a spare. Because we lost the spare the very next day, the ROV Team must look deeper into the system to find the problem. We're hoping that they'll be able to get everything operational in time for one last dive tomorrow morning. Thu, 24 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july24_update1.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Animals living near hydrothermal vents have to survive under harsh conditions like high pressure, steep temperature gradients, and high concentrations of toxic chemicals. Despite these seemingly inhospitable conditions, many animals do more than simply survive. They thrive. Thu, 23 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july24_update1.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Extensive beds of the giant clam Calyptogena magnifica were in abundance at the yet unnamed vent field. Thu, 23 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july23_update2.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Overnight tow-yo operations across site 4A West and 4A East picked up one strong plume target. It is quite likely that the signal is from the vent we discovered yesterday. During today's dive we are revisiting the new vent site. Our hope it to determine the geographical extent of the site and better document the biological communities. Thu, 23 Jul 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july23_update1.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The discovery of a new hydrothermal vent field along the Galapagos Rift buoyed spirits on the ship and on-shore. The dive was extended beyond normal operations by approximately 1.5 hrs to maximize bottom time on the site. Thu, 22 Jul 2011 19:15:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july22_update3.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Rhode Island Governor Chafee, and Rhode Island Representative Teresa Tanzi answer questions during a media event at the University of Rhode Island. Thu, 22 Jul 2011 11:30:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july22_update2.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer It almost felt scripted. . .but it wasn't. The University of Rhode Island's Inner Space Center (ISC) is one of the core locations where scientists and the public on shore can view the live video from the ship - wherever it is operates. It just so happens that NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco was participating in a media event this morning with Rhode Island Governor Chafee and Rhode Island Representative Teresa Tanzi. In the middle of the event, the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer discovered a new hydrothermal vent field along the Galapagos Rift. The report from shore is that Dr. Lubchenco noticed the discovery and in mid-sentence began explaining the find to the stunned audience. Thu, 22 Jul 2011 11:30:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july22_update1.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Jeff Williams (ROV Co-Pilot), Karl McKletchie (ROV Pilot) and Nick Kraus (ROV Navigator) in the Control Room. Thu, 21 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july21_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Just prior to launch, the crew makes one final check of the connection between the crane and Little Herc. Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july20_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Little Hercules is lifted off the deck for deployment. Tues, 19 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july19_update01.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer ROV Engineer Bobby Mohr inspects the 'football' during post-dive work. Mon, 18 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july18_update02.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Senior Survey Technician Colleen Peters mounts Niskin bottles on the CTD rosette. Mon, 18 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july18_update01.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Members of the Team responsible for deployment and recovery wear special gloves for protection. Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july17_update02.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer NOAA Scientist Sharon Walker quickly turned around this plot of the overnight tow-yo to better inform the July 17 dive location. Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july17_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer This fish spotted on the Paramount Seamounts seemed to use its fins to amble along the bottom. Sat, 16 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july16_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Younger looking lava indicates recent volcanic activity. Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july15_update03.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer This sea turtle followed Little Herc during its initial descent. Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july15_update02.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Commanding Officer Robert Kamphaus scans the horizon for contacts. Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july15_update01.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer This fish spotted on the Paramount Seamounts seemed to use its fins to amble along the bottom. Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july14_update03.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer A hammerhead shark seemed to take interest in Seirios for a few moments during our first dive. Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july14_update02.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The Little Hercules ROV is launched for the expedition's first and only dive on the Paramount Seamounts. Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july14_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer An interesting seamount that the ship passed over today. The location was 88.6690 W 5.5568 N. Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july13_update02.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Telepresence Engineer Greg Diffendale takes photos of the VSAT antenna during the Puntarenas inport. Information sent from the ship to technicians back in the U.S was critical to minimizing the delay. Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july13_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer ROV Engineers Bobby Mohr and Tom Kok take a break from working on the new camera plaform 'Seirios'. Tues, 12 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july12_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer VSAT dome. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july11_update03.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The ship weighs anchor and we are underway. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july11_update02.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Technicians work on the satellite antenna in the VSAT dome. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july11_update01.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Okeanos Explorer Chief Engineer Bob Dennis considers what additional support he can provide the satellite antenna technicians to faciliate quicker and safer repairs. Sun, 10 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july10_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer In took just a bit over 36-hrs to get the six boxes of replacement parts from Louisville, Kentucky to the ship. Fri, 08 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july8_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The Engineering Deparment spent much of the day fabricating equipment to allow a possible repair on Friday. Thu, 07 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july7_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Almost 15-months ago, the ship mast was lowered to reduce stress on the VSAT. This April 2010 photo shows the VSAT being lowered onto the shortened mast. Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july4_update.html NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer The NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer anchored in Costa Rica waters just offshore the city of Puntarenas. Sat, 02 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1103/logs/dailyupdates/media/july2_update.html