While it's nearly impossible to get a picture with all expedition participants, this image captures the mission personnel who were on board NOAA Ship <em>Okeanos Explorer</em> during the third and final cruise leg of the 2012 Gulf of Mexico Expedition.

While it's nearly impossible to get a picture with all expedition participants, this image captures the mission personnel who were on board NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during the third and final cruise leg of the 2012 Gulf of Mexico Expedition. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Gulf of Mexico 2012. Download larger version (jpg, 1.0 MB).

The 2012 Gulf of Mexico Expedition is brought to a close
April 29, 2012

Mapping data was acquired during the ship's transit to port today, until the ship reached 50 meter water depth at which time the sonar systems were secured. The ship pulled into Galveston, TX in the morning and was moored pier-side by 10am, officially bringing the cruise to a close. Crew and mission personnel are busy finalizing documents, wrapping up end of cruise items and preparing for departure home.