The sun sets off the starboard bow of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer after she leaves port in Pascagoula, MS, and transits to the western operating area of the expedition.

The sun sets off the starboard bow of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer after she leaves port in Pascagoula, MS, and transits to the western operating area of the expedition. Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Gulf of Mexico 2014 Expedition. Download larger version (jpg, 317 KB).

The 2014 Gulf of Mexico Expedition Commences!
April 10, 2014

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer departed Singing River Island, MS, at approximagely 1630 Central today and began transiting to our operating area in the Northwest Gulf of Mexico. We have a full day and half of transit ahead of us and will collect mapping data continuously as we head to our first remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dive site of the cruise. The onboard crew are busy getting familiar with the ship, learning safety procedures and preparing for upcoming operations. Our first ROV dive is planned for Saturday morning, April 12, at a potential gas seep site.