2026 ROV Shakedown

Exploring the mysterious depths of our ocean requires cutting-edge technology that must work perfectly under extreme conditions, which is why every exploration season begins with a rigorous test run. Before deep-sea exploration missions can begin each year, the entire remotely operated vehicle (ROV) system must undergo a critical trial period known as a shakedown. Aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, a specialized team of engineers, technicians, and pilots prepare the ROVs for the upcoming season.

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. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 ROV Shakedown. Download largest version (jpg, 2.55 MB).

ROV Testing in the Field

The 2026 ROV Shakedown expedition follows an extensive winter maintenance period where every component of the system was inspected, repaired, or upgraded. Following this work, the ROVs must be evaluated in the field under true environmental conditions, as many systems can’t be fully tested out of the water. For example, thrusters require significantly more power when operated in water than in air. Light refraction in water versus air affects the field of view of cameras, and conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) environmental sensors require water to be pumped through the system to obtain data.

System Maintenance and Upgrades

This year, in addition to the usual maintenance checks, the engineering team is focusing on behind-the-scenes improvements to vehicle controls, communications, power infrastructure, and hydraulics. They are also testing brand-new operational capabilities, including a sediment-collecting push core system and updated camera and laser configurations. Getting direct feedback during these trials allows engineers to address technical issues before high-priority science expeditions begin.

During the 2026 ROV Shakedown, the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) team installed and tested new operational capabilities on ROV Deep Discoverer, including a sediment-collecting push core system and a new transect camera and lasers. The expedition also provided an opportunity to look for and address technical issues. For example, when the primary manipulator arm used for sampling was malfunctioning during training, the team was able to figure out the problem and fix it without any impact on scientific operations. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 ROV Shakedown. Download largest version (jpg, 2.55 MB).

Hydraulic systems on remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) allow the ROV pilots to operate the ROV’s manipulator arms, sampling boxes, LED swingarms, and other equipment. If these systems fail, the pilots lose the ability to manipulate objects, collect samples, and adjust the light. During the 2026 ROV Shakedown, a problem arose with the hydraulic valve pack on ROV Deep Discoverer. Here, the ROV engineers are troubleshooting the power and communications inside the main telemetry housing to restore hydraulic control and enable ROV operations. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 ROV Shakedown. Download largest version (jpg, 2.47 MB).

Training

Beyond hardware, the shakedown serves as a controlled training ground. In 2026, NOAA Ocean Exploration is partnering with the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute for operations on Okeanos Explorer and is welcoming many new personnel as a result. Thus, these trials are vital for instructing these new team members and reviewing procedures with senior staff. To ensure optimal training conditions, the crew carefully minimizes environmental variables and builds up mission difficulty step by step.

Dockside Trials and Open-Water Dives

The training progression starts safely at the pier. The first test dive is conducted while the ship remains tied to the dock with ROV Deep Discoverer permanently attached to the ship’s crane. Next, Deep Discoverer is allowed to roam free from the crane while its companion vehicle, Seirios, remains on deck. Eventually, both vehicles are deployed together dockside for a mock dive to practice launch and recovery procedures.

Before every expedition, the remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) undergo dunk tests while still in port to ensure they’re balanced and functional. Extra time in port during the 2026 ROV Shakedown allowed the ROV team to conduct multiple dunk tests to check out the equipment and practice launch and recovery. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 ROV Shakedown. Download largest version (jpg, 1.27 MB).

Tethered to the ship and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Deep Discoverer, ROV Seirios follows its partner in exploration into the water during the first dive of the 2026 ROV Shakedown. Once deployed, Seirios, a “camera sled,” hovers above Deep Discoverer in the water column, providing lighting, situational awareness, and motion decoupling and collecting video and scientific data. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 ROV Shakedown. Download largest version (jpg, 2.28 MB).

Once dockside trials are complete, the ship heads out to sea, and the dives steadily increase in difficulty. The first open-water dive takes place at a depth of approximately 500 meters (1,640 feet), followed by a deeper trial at roughly 1,500 meters (almost a mile). Eventually, the dives increase to the system maximum of 6,000 meters (3.7 miles), when possible. The team begins on flat seafloor terrain before progressing to steep slopes and more challenging topography. To ensure the safety of the equipment and crew and to optimize training, ship locations are deliberately selected for low winds, calm seas, and minimal currents. This thorough training ensures the team and technology are fully prepared for the unpredictable conditions they will face during real discovery-focused expeditions later in the year.

The Foundation of Exploration

Ultimately, investing this time into a rigorous shakedown turns potential deep-sea disasters into seamless voyages. By pressure-testing both the equipment and the crew in a controlled environment, the shakedown expedition builds the foundation required for high-stakes ocean exploration.

During remotely operated vehicle (ROV) expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, like the 2026 ROV Shakedown, once the ROVs are deployed, the control room becomes the hub of mission operations. From the “front row,” the ROV team pilots the ROVs, directing where they go and what they do. The monitors around the room display live video feeds from the high-definition cameras on the ROVs, sonar and navigation data, and vehicle diagnostics. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 ROV Shakedown. Download largest version (jpg, 138 KB).

By Bobby Mohr, NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute/Deep Exploration Solutions