Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) Deep Discoverer — seen here during the 2026 ROV Shakedown — and Seirios are owned by NOAA Ocean Exploration and maintained and operated by the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute. Capable of diving to depths of 6,000 meters (3.7 miles), the pair provide scientists invaluable access to the deep ocean. With Deep Discoverer, we’re able to capture high-definition video, collect biological, geological, and water samples, and measure physical characteristics of the ocean such as salinity, water temperature, depth, and dissolved oxygen to help us better understand the deep-ocean environment.

From: Exploration Season Begins: Inside the ROV Shakedown