The Manta Net is towed off the starboard side of the ship during its first deployment this cruise. Daily Manta Net tows will be conducted this cruise to sample for plastics to gain a greater understanding of the characteristics and extent of the Pacific “Garbage Patch.”

The Manta Net is towed off the starboard side of the ship during its first deployment this cruise. Daily Manta Net tows will be conducted this cruise to sample for plastics to gain a greater understanding of the characteristics and extent of the Pacific “Garbage Patch.” Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program. Download larger version (jpg, 234 KB).

Okeanos Explorer Departed Pearl Harbor, HI
October 19, 2010

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer departed Pearl Harbor, HI this morning and began her transit to California for the winter inport. Once outside of Pearl Harbor, the EM302 multibeam sonar was turned on and data acquisition commenced. Science operations started soon after with deployment of the Continuous Plankton Recorder for its first calibration tow, and the first Manta Net deployment in the evening. Safety drills were conducted in the afternoon and new personnel continue to get familiar with shipboard operations.