This page contains images and videos of many technologies used for ocean exploration. Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information.

Collection 1 - Vessels
Collection 2 - Submersibles
Collection 3 - Remotely Operated Vehicles
Collection 3 - Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
Collection 4 - Diving
Collection 5 - Observation Tools

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camera icon Video & Slideshow
Surprisingly, bubbles composed of some sort of fluid were rising out of the sediment around the chimneys. See how the ROPOS ROV is deployed at the Maug island volcanic crater. Collecting an unusual species of shrimp found at the hydrothermal vent. A few swarms of crabs scavenging on some dead fish.

camera icon Surprisingly, bubbles composed of some sort of fluid were rising out of the sediment around the chimneys. (QuickTime, 1.9 Mb)

camera icon See how the ROPOS ROV is deployed at the Maug Island volcanic crater. (QuickTime, 1.9 Mb)

camera icon Collecting an unusual species of shrimp found at the hydrothermal vent. (QuickTime, 1.5 Mb)

camera icon A few swarms of crabs, scavenging on some dead fish. (Quicktime, 1.6 Mb.)
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See how the claw and arm of Alvin are able to sample a “wedge” of pillow basalt pulled from a fractured pillow lava. The peeper recovery and sampling process. Deploying the Eye-in-the-Sea (EITS) on the edge of a brine pool, at over 2,100 ft. The Johnson-Sea-Link II manipulator arm picks up a coral skeleton.

camera icon August 18
See how the claw and arm of Alvin are able to sample a “wedge” of pillow basalt pulled from a fractured pillow lava. (QuickTime, 1.8 Mb)

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camera icon View the peeper recovery and sampling process. (Quicktime, 1.9 Mb.)

camera icon Deploying the Eye-in-the-Sea (EITS) on the edge of a brine pool, at over 2,100 ft. (Quicktime, 1.1 Mb.)

camera icon The Johnson-Sea-Link II manipulator arm picks up a coral skeleton. (QuickTime, 976 Kb)
A slide show of the Young Modified Van Veen Grab sampler in action. Collecting a sponge community with the Chimneymaster. Slideshow of Alvin recovery from dive 3909 The ascent of a dive on the southern Lophelia shelf off the Carolinas.

camera icon View a slide show of the Young Modified Van Veen Grab sampler in action.

camera icon Collecting a sponge community with the Chimneymaster. (QuickTime, 1.7 Mb)

slideshow icon Slideshow of Alvin recovery from dive 3909.

camera icon The ascent of a dive on the southern Lophelia shelf. (QuickTime, 1.3 Mb)
Deployment and descent of the Johnson-Sea-Link 2 manipulator arm retrieving carrion bucket Forcepia, not just your ordinary sponge. The Innovator ROV being launched.

camera icon Deployment and descent of the Johnson-Sea-Link II. (QuickTime, 1.0 Mb)

camera icon Manipulator arm retrieving carrion bucket. (QuickTime, 856 Kb)

camera icon Forcepia, not just your ordinary sponge. (QuickTime, 1 Mb)

slideshow icon The Innovator ROV being launched from the stern deck of the NOAA Research Vessel Ronald H. Brown.
The diversity of marine life hidden beneath oil platforms. Scientist use sampling techniques that have minimal impact on the Northern Gulf of Mexico Deep Water Habitats. Under-ice dives Divers under the ice.

camera icon The diversity of marine life hidden beneath oil platforms. (QuickTime, 1.1 Mb)

camera icon Scientist use sampling techniques that have minimal impact on the Northern Gulf of Mexico Deep Water Habitats. (QuickTime, 1.9 Mb)

camera icon Under-ice dives.

camera icon Divers under the ice.
1st launch of ROV Global Explorer The Atlantis gets ready to explore the Galapagos Rift. Collecting a fish sample. video taken form ROV

camera icon S1st launch of ROV Global Explorer.

camera icon The Atlantis gets ready to explore the Galapagos Rift.

camera icon Collecting a fish sample.

camera icon Video footage taken from the remotely operated vehicle.
The advantages of an ROV. collecting a crab sample Alvin collecting volcanic rock submersible sampling video

camera icon The advantages of an ROV.

camera icon Collecting a crab sample.

camera icon Alvin collecting volcanic rock.

camera icon Two different sampling techniques used by the submersible. (QuickTime, 1Mb)
collecting rock video collecting sponges video otter trawl video video of seward johnson

camera icon Video of a "live rock specimen" being collected. (QuickTime, 1Mb)

camera icon Video of a sponge being collected. QuickTime, 1.2 Mb)

camera icon Video of an Otter trawl deployment. (Quicktime, 464 kb)

camera icon The R/V Seward Johnson being prepared for the expedition. (QuickTime, 1Mb)
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underwater video crab trap deployment video benthic invertebrate sampling video submersible deployment video

camera icon Footage captured by the Johnson-Sea-Link II. (QuickTime, 760 kb)

camera icon The Johnson-Sea-Link II deploying traps. (QuickTime, 732 kb)

camera icon The Johnson-Sea-Link II sampling benthic invertebrates. (QuickTime, 728 kb)

camera icon The Johnson Sea-Link being deployed for a dive. (QuickTime, 948kb)
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Alvin collecting a suction sample Van Dover mussel pot being depoyed Van Dover mussel pot retreiving invertebrates

camera icon Alvin collecting a suction sample (QuickTime, 652 Kb)

camera icon Van Dover mussel pot being deployed (QuickTime, 976 Kb)

camera icon Van Dover mussel pot retrieving invertebrates (QuickTime, 652 Kb)

camera icon Deployment of PAMS, an acoustic array (QuickTime, 3.4 MB)
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Images

Vessels
The R/V Thomas G. Thompson holding station over Maug caldera. NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown during mobilization in Woods Hole, MA. Refueling the R/V Atlantis NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown docked at the Port of Panama City, Florida

The R/V Thomas G. Thompson holds its station over Maug caldera.

NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown during mobilization in Woods Hole, Mass.

WHOI R/V Atlantis refueling in Woods Hole between cruises.

The NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown docked at the Port of Panama City, Florida. (HR)
Small boat launched from the Ron Brown Media rep.s, visiting the R/V Seward Johnson. The Thompson surrounded by Maug's three islands The tugboat that brought the new science party.

Small boat launched from the Ron Brown. (HR)

Media reps, visiting the R/V Seward Johnson.

The Thompson surrounded by Maug's three islands (HR)

The tugboat that brought the new science party. (HR)
R/V Atlantis docked The Louis St. Laurent Preparing to explore Stern-view of the Louis St. Laurent.

R/V Atlantis docked.

The Louis St. Laurent.

Preparing to explore.

Stern-view of the Louis St. Laurent.
The Louis at sunset. The crew and science party prepare the ship The R/V Seward Johnson R/V Atlantis

The Louis at sunset.

The crew and science party prepare the ship.

The R/V Seward Johnson at sunrise on the first morning of IIS 2002.

R/V Atlantis

R/V Lake Guardian Rear view of R/V Atlantis NOAA Ship Gunter NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown

R/V Lake Guardian

Rear view of R/V Atlantis

NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter

NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown
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NOAA Ship Ferrel R/V Seward Johnson II NOAA Ship McArthur spacer The ship Auriga conducting a sonar survey of Astoria Canyon

NOAA Ship Ferrel

R/V Seward Johnson II

NOAA Ship McArthur

The Auriga
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R/V Cape Fear USS Grasp USS Grapple USS Grapple moored

R/V Cape Fear

USS Grasp

USS Grapple

USS Grapple moored to buoy
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Boom and RHIB various launches

Boom and small launch

Various launches



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Submersibles
Schematic diagram of the DSV Alvin. The claw and arm of Alvin grasping a “wedge” of pillow basalt. To make fluorescent observations, the Johnson-Sea-Link is modified by placing blue filters on the submersible’s two 400W HMI lamps. The mechanical arm of the Johnson-Sea-Link places a baited benthic trap on the seafloor, just outside the brine pool.

Schematic diagram of the DSV Alvin. (HR)

The Alvin's claw and arm, grasping a “wedge” of pillow basalt. (HR)

To make fluorescent observations, the Johnson-Sea-Link is modified by placing blue filters on the submersible’s two 400W HMI lamps. (HR)

The mechanical arm of the Johnson-Sea-Link places a baited benthic trap on the seafloor, just outside the brine pool.
Alvin’s manipulators collecting a rock at the Cape Fear Diapir The biobox on the front of Alvin Swimmers Mark Spear and Carl Wood, recovering Alvin after a dive on Manning Seamount. Alvin being pulled out of the water during a dive recovery.

Alvin’s manipulators collecting a rock at the Cape Fear Diapir.

The biobox on the front of Alvin.

Recovering the Alvin sub after a dive on Manning Seamount. (HR)

Alvin being pulled out of the water during a dive recovery.
Launching Alvin from Atlantis Alvin, up close, in its hanger on board Atlantis. The DSV Alvin crew readies the sub for a dive. View from inside the ‘bubble’ of the JSLII.

Launching Alvin from Atlantis.

Alvin, up close, in its hanger on board Atlantis.

The DSV Alvin crew readies the sub for a dive.

View from inside the ‘bubble’ of the JSLII.
The Johnson-Sea-Link submersible. R/V SEWARD JOHNSON’S ROV being launched. The stern section of the Johnson-Sea-Link submersible. JSL is being recovered.

The Johnson-Sea-Link submersible.

R/V SEWARD JOHNSON’S ROV being launched.

The stern section of the Johnson-Sea-Link submersible.

JSL is being recovered.
The Johnson-Sea-Link submersible. Dave Wyanski, prepares for another dive to almost 1800ft in the JSL sphere. Deep below the photic zone in the JSL II submersible. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Fish Biologist Dave Wyanski prepares to enter the JSL II sphere for Dive #3407.

The Johnson-Sea-Link submersible.

Dave Wyansk prepares for a dive to almost 1,800 ft in the JSL II sphere.

Deep below the photic zone in the JSL II submersible.

Biologist Dave Wyanski prepares to enter the JSL II sphere. (HR)
sub crew member Jim Sullivan dives from the R/V Seward Johnson to the JSL II The Johnson Sea Lab II is seen preparing to descend into the sea over the Charleston Bump. Launching of the Pisces IV.

Sub crew member Jim Sullivan dives from the R/V Seward Johnson to the JSL II. (HR)

The Johnson-Sea Link II submersible prepares to descend into the sea over the Charleston Bump.

Johnson Sea Link

Launching of the Pisces IV.
Alvin first launch ALVIN launch Entering Alvin Alvin being moved out of the hanger

Alvin first launch.

Alvin launch.

Entering Alvin.

Alvin being moved out of the hanger.
The Johnson-Sea-Link II The Johnson-Sea-Link II is launched. One of the JSL II dive team enters the aft observation compartment of the submersible. An attachment on the Johnson Sea Link is used to “vacuum” an area of the seafloor.

The Johnson-Sea-Link II waits for recovery.

The Johnson-Sea-Link II is launched.

One of the JSL II dive team enters the aft observation compartment of the submersible.

An attachment on the Johnson Sea Link is used to “vacuum” an area of the seafloor.
The Seward Johnson crew launches the JSL II. Mechanical arm of the Johnson Sea-Link Clelia submersible sampling The Alvin in its berth

The Seward Johnson crew launches the JSL II.

Mechanical arm of the Johnson Sea-Link

The Clelia sampling limestone rock

The Alvin in its berth
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The Alvin preparing to descend Phantom S2 ROV Deploying the Alvin The Alvin underwater

The Alvin preparing to descend

Phantom S2 ROV

Deploying the Alvin

The Alvin underwater
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Rear view of the Alvin underwater The Clelia Deploying the Johnson Sea-Link Front view of the Johnson Sea-Link

Front view of the Alvin underwater

The Clelia on the fantail

Deploying the Johnson Sea-Link

Front view of the Johnson Sea-Link
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Side view of the Johnson Sea-Link The DeepWorker submersible DeepWorker underwater

Side view of the Johnson Sea-Link

The Clelia

The DeepWorker

DeepWorker underwater
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Launching DeepWorker A-frame launch Articulated crane launch Swimmer with DeepWorker

Launching the Deepworker

A-frame launch of DeepWorker

Articulated crane launch

Swimmer with DeepWorker



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Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV)
ROPOS deployment from the “fantail” of the Thompson. Covered in sulfur droplets, the ROPOS shows signs of its close encounter with sulfur, rocks and ash. The Hercules ROV as seen from the Argus ROV. Sampling small coral colony with Hercules manipulator arm.

ROPOS is deployed from the “fantail” of the Thompson. (HR)

Covered in sulfur droplets, the ROPOS ROV shows signs of its close encounter with sulfur, rocks and ash. (HR)

The Hercules ROV as seen from the Argus ROV. (HR)

Summary
Sampling small coral colony with Hercules manipulator arm.
Recovering the basalt recruitment block experiment with the Hercules ROV. Hercules ROV collecting corals in a ‘forest’ of bamboo whip corals. Working to secure foam from Little Hercules on top of Argus. Collecting fossil corals with a scoop-action using a net and the Hercules scissor claw.

Recovering the basalt recruitment block experiment with the Hercules ROV. (HR)

ROV Hercules collecting corals in a "forest" of bamboo whip corals. (HR)

Working to secure foam from Little Hercules on top of Argus. (HR)

Collecting fossil corals with a scoop-action, using a net and the Hercules scissor claw. (HR)
A front view of the ROV Hercules shows the white bio-box, powerful arms, lights, and cameras. The claw on the Hercules manipulator arm had trouble with some collections. The ROV crew designed and tested a new claw design. Milk crates and carrots help form a simulated seabed for testing.

A front view of the ROV Hercules shows the white bio-box, powerful arms, lights, and cameras.

The claw on the Hercules manipulator arm had trouble with some collections. (HR)

The ROV crew designed and tested a new claw design. (HR)

Milk crates and carrots help form a simulated seabed for testing. (HR)
ROV Hercules collecting a Keratoisis bamboo coral on Bear Seamount. Hercules climbing the side of Bear Seamount. Argus is secured on deck. Hercules returns home.

ROV Hercules collecting a Keratoisis bamboo coral on Bear Seamount.

Hercules climbing the side of Bear Seamount.

Argus is secured on deck.

Hercules returns home.
IFE’s light-bearing camera sled ARGUS on the deck of the NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown. IFE’s ROV HERCULES on the deck of the NOAA ship Ronald. H. Brown. ROV Innovator during a recovery at night. Inovator sample buckets being unloaded after dive

IFE’s light-bearing camera sled Argus on the deck of the NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown.

IFE’s ROV Hercules on the deck of the NOAA ship Ronald. H. Brown.

ROV Innovator during a recovery at night. (HR)

Innovator sample buckets being unloaded after dive.
The ROV Innovator during a morning launch morning launch of the ROV Innovator being recovered mobilization of the Innovator on the NOAA research vessel Ron Brown

The ROV Innovator during a morning launch. (HR)

Morning launch of the ROV.

Innovator being recovered.

Mobilization of the Innovator on the NOAA research vessel Ron Brown.
The Innovator being submersed during the test dive Port side view of the Sonsub Inc. ROV Innovator Innovator ROV being launched from the Ron Brown during a test dive The tether management system sits on top of the ROV during deployment and recovery of the sub

The Innovator being submersed during the test dive.

Port side view of the Sonsub Inc. ROV Innovator.

Innovator ROV being launched from the Ron Brown during a test dive.

Using a tether management system to deploy and recover the ROV. (HR)
Robotic arm collecting rock samples. The ROV Tiburon placing a fish trap Sampling a sea star. The robotic arm of the ROV Tiburon

Robotic arm of the ROV Tiburon collecting rock samples.

The ROV Tiburon placing a fish trap.

Placing a sea star in a biobox.

The robotic arm of the ROV Tiburon.
Labeled diagram of the Global Explorer ROV. Preparing the Global Explorer for its first dive. NOAA ship Photos check

Labeled diagram of the Global Explorer ROV.

Preparing the Global Explorer for its first dive.

The NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson sought safe harbor.

Jeff checks the quality of a shot in the playback unit.
Hela and Isis ROV team ROV team ROV depressor weight

Hela and Isis, ROV parts.

The ROV team works on the control and camera systems.

The ROV team works on the control and camera systems.

ROV depressor weight is used in submergence of ROV.
ROV The ROV sustained damage ROV on deck ROV underwater

The ROV being deployed.

The ROV sustained damage.

ROV deployment

ROV underwater
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launching remotely operated vehicle Schematic image of ROV deployment and support equipment Launching ROPOS for the first time Sampling 12,000+ year old clay with ROPOS

Launching remotely operated vehicle

ROV (ROPOS) deployment and support equipment

Launching ROPOS

ROPOS taking a sample of 12,000+ year old clay.



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Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
ABE is opened for maintenance, revealing its complex interior. Launching the AUV ABE. Preparing ABE for its next dive. Launching ABE over the side of the ship.

ABE is opened for maintenance, revealing its complex interior.

Launching the AUV ABE.

Preparing ABE for its next dive.

Launching ABE to collect data. (HR)



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