NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer: NOAA Ocean Exploration

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer at sea. Image courtesy of Art Howard/NOAA Ocean Exploration. Download larger version (jpg, 11.5 MB).

Current Operations:

2021 U.S. Blake Plateau Mapping

From August 15 to September 30, NOAA Ocean Exploration will conduct two telepresence-enabled exploratory ocean mapping expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer that will include 24-hour-a-day acoustic exploration mapping operations in areas generally deeper than 200 meters (656 feet) in U.S. waters off the east coast, with a focus on the Blake Plateau.

About the Ship

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.

Meet the Team

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is operated by the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and civilians as part of the fleet managed by NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. Mission equipment is operated by NOAA Ocean Exploration.

Ten Years of Collecting Ocean Exploration Data

Since the first ocean exploration data was collected from NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in 2009, NOAA Ocean Exploration has led expeditions on the ship around the globe.

Browse Expeditions

Follow expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer while underway or retrace past expeditions. For each expedition, you'll find information ranging from mission plans and background essays to educational materials, expedition updates, and imagery.