Captain Barnacles poses with Lieutenant Hunter Brendel, Operations Officer for NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. LT Brendel is a member of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps), which is one of the nation’s eight uniformed services. NOAA Corps officers, along with civilian crew members, operate Okeanos Explorer as part of NOAA's fleet managed by the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. Expeditions couldn’t happen without them! Learn more