2023 EXPRESS: Exploration of Central California Coast (AUV and Mapping)

To speed up the pace of ocean exploration, NOAA Ocean Exploration is committed to technological innovation and expansion of our own capacity to explore. In partnership with the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI), we will test two AUVs during this expedition. This test will serve three purposes: it will help us understand how such vehicles might be incorporated into and augment standard operations on Okeanos Explorer, it will enable us to collect baseline data to support priority science and management needs in an area of national importance, and it will inform site selection for dives with remotely operated vehicles for future expeditions.

The two AUVs, Eagle Ray and Mola Mola, are owned and operated by the University of Southern Mississippi (an OECI affiliate) and have been recently updated with state-of-the-art mapping and imaging technologies. The duo will be used to explore seamounts, canyons, and other seafloor features.

• Eagle Ray, a traditional mapping AUV, is equipped with a multibeam sonar and sub-bottom profiler to collect high-resolution seafloor and water column mapping data.
• Mola Mola, a photo survey AUV, is equipped with powerful cameras and a laser to capture seafloor imagery and complementary mapping data.

NOAA Ocean Exploration is also working with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, and local tribal members to identify targets for exploration, educate local tribal communities about deep-ocean exploration, and promote the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.