Media Kit

Thank you for your interest in NOAA Ocean Exploration. Here you can find information about our media resources and learn how to access multimedia content to help you build your story.

For more information about working with our office or for specific inquiries or questions, please contact us at ocean-explore-comms@noaa.gov.

For information about working with other offices within NOAA, visit the NOAA Communications web page.

NOAA Ocean Exploration (NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research) is the only federal program dedicated to exploring the unknown ocean, unlocking its potential through scientific discovery, technological advancements, partnerships, data delivery, and education. By leading national efforts to fill gaps in basic understanding of the deep-ocean environment, we are providing critical data, information, and awareness needed to protect American livelihoods, strengthen national security, and promote a vibrant U.S. economy.

With priority placed on exploration of deep waters and the waters of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, NOAA Ocean Exploration works with partners to explore previously unknown areas of our deep ocean, making discoveries of scientific and economic value and supporting innovations in exploration tools and capabilities. By making collected data publicly available in increasingly innovative and accessible ways, we provide resource managers, decision-makers, the academic community, and the private sector with the information they need to identify, understand, and manage ocean resources for this and future generations of Americans. And, through live exploration video, online resources, training and educational opportunities, and public events, we work to inspire members of the general public as well as the next generation of explorers, helping to build the future workforce needed to increase knowledge and understanding of the ocean system and maintain our country’s influence and leadership in an ever-challenging global arena.

Learn more about NOAA Ocean Exploration.

Overview factsheet (pdf, 2.5 MB)

On this page, you can access media releases and advisories distributed by NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners regarding expeditions we have led or supported, as well as information about opportunities, discoveries, and more.

Many expeditions, including those on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, that are covered on this website (and archived site for content predating 2019) have individual media resources pages that provide additional information such as overviews of expedition goals, objectives, and participants as well as access to additional images and video.

For updates on NOAA Ocean Exploration activities, you can follow us on X, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, follow us on LinkedIn, or subscribe to our YouTube channel .

Usage and Credit

For images and videos posted on this website, we ask that you include the credit information included in the caption associated with each image or video. If space is limited, please credit NOAA Ocean Exploration (preferred) or NOAA.

A limited number of images and videos posted on the website are copyrighted. If the image caption includes the word “copyright,” additional permissions are required for use. Contact us for help in getting the required permissions.

Image and Video Access

Images and videos are available via the resources listed below. If you need assistance in finding something specific, feel free to contact us.

Multimedia Section: All Images and Videos

The Multimedia section of the website features all images and videos on the website (2019-present, with some exceptions) searchable by topics, media types, years, and keywords.

Expedition-Specific Images and Videos

Many of the expeditions covered on this website (2019-present) include multimedia galleries at the bottom of the main expedition page and/or separate multimedia pages that include all images and videos posted in association with the expedition/project. Multimedia galleries can be easily accessed from the navigation menu beneath the expedition/project title at the top of all the associated web pages. 

Other Video Resources

Live Video

When NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is underway on an expedition, this page will broadcast live video streams from the ship. What is being shown on the different video streams will vary depending on the expedition and operations.

NOAA Ocean Exploration Video Portal

The NOAA Ocean Exploration Video Portal allows users to search, discover, and access video data collected from the remotely operated vehicle system on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer as well as other expeditions supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration. The portal provides previews of videos, the ability to download low-resolution and ProRes versions of videos, and access to details about when and where video was collected, including downloadable dive summaries and links to any associated web coverage. All video on the portal is in the public domain and should be credited to NOAA Ocean Exploration.

Image and Video Sizes and Resolution

For images on this website, the largest version of an image or video available can be downloaded via a link at the end of the associated caption. If a link to a larger version is not posted, it is likely not available.

Most underwater images collected during Okeanos Explorer expeditions are only available at 72 dpi, 1920×1080.

For videos produced on this website, if an HD version of the video is available, it can be downloaded via a link at the end of the video caption.

Underwater footage collected during Okeanos Explorer expeditions (including produced videos and raw, unedited clips) is available in ProRes422 .mov format. You can request ProRes versions via the NOAA Ocean Exploration Video Portal or by contacting us. Note that ProRes versions of video are typically not available until two to three months after the end of an expedition.