Windows to the Deep 2019: Exploration of the Deep-sea Habitats of the Southeastern United States

A Ship Tour of a Different Kind

by Debi Blaney, NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research
June 26, 2019

Throughout Dive 12, on July 4, we were accompanied by several rather large Abyssal grenadier fish (Coryphaenoides armatus), who were likely attracted by the disturbance of the remotely operated vehicle and came along to investigate. Video courtesy of Silvergate Media, Inc. and NOAA Ocean Exploration. Download largest version (mp4, 201.2 MB).

As you follow along on the Windows to the Deep 2019 expedition and watch the dives live, are you curious how NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is involved in making these operations possible? Ever wondered how we are able to feed 49 people for three weeks at sea? Want an exclusive peek inside the ship’s control room? Then join us for a tour of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer!

We teamed up with the Octonauts  to provide a behind-the-scenes look at NOAA's ocean exploration vessel in the “Octonauts and NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer” video, giving aspiring explorers the opportunity to learn more about our ocean. The ship tour explains how we use special robots to explore the deep sea; how scientists work with our live video footage; what we do with the samples the robots collect from the deep; how we map the seafloor; how telepresence works; and takes you to the ship’s bridge to meet the Captain. The ship tour brings together all the different aspects of ocean exploration in the underwater world of the Octonauts, and the real-life version at NOAA to help audiences of all ages learn more about ocean exploration.

The Octonauts are a team of adventurers who explore the world’s oceans, rescue aquatic creatures and protect their habitats – from the bustling ecosystem along the Amazon River to the deepest depths of the Mariana Trench. Deploying a fleet of aquatic vehicles, Captain Barnacles; daredevil ex-pirate, Kwazii; medic Peso; and the rest of the crew embark on missions around the globe before returning safely to their home base, the Octopod.

Kids of all ages, welcome on board NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, and let’s explore together!

Want to learn more about the sea animals that the Octonauts rescue in their shows? Check out “NOAA and the Octonauts,” a new podcast from NOAA Education that dives into the science behind the show’s featured creatures. Find it on NOAA.gov or on your favorite podcast platform.