NOAA Ocean Exploration Operations on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

Control room on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

The control room on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during a remotely operated vehicle dive.

 

In Port

July 14-22, 2025

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer has arrived in Koror, Palau, after transiting from Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Our next expedition will begin on July 22 and will focus on mapping of waters around Palau as part of the Okeanos Explorer Beyond the Blue expeditions.

About the Ship

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

Meet the Ship

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is the only federal vessel dedicated to exploring our largely unknown ocean for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge about the deep ocean.

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When it first appeared in the Benthic Deepwater Animal Identification Guide, this sponge was unknown to science. It has since been formally described and given the name Advhena magnifica (meaning "magnificent alien")

Benthic Deepwater Animal Identification Guide

A popular and trusted ocean science community resource used (and contributed to) by ocean scientists around the world to help identify animals seen during deep-ocean exploration.

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Get Involved

Get Involved

From scientists and students to members of the general public, learn how to get involved with expeditions led by NOAA Ocean Exploration on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.

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Browse Expeditions

Follow expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer while underway or retrace past expeditions. For each expedition, you'll find content ranging from stories to images and videos.

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