Exploring Ocean Canyons, SOI Strikes Again with Groundbreaking Research
Institute’s Remotely Operated Vehicle SuBastian shines light on an offshore canyon in Argentine waters nearly twice as deep as the Grand Canyon — capturing images and video of 40 suspected new species, coral fields, and a seastar that resembled a famous cartoon character.An Argentinian-led expedition on board Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too) has captured the attention of millions, inspiring a predominantly Argentine audience with live video feeds from the deep seafloor. Over the past three weeks, nearly 4 million people tuned in to Schmidt Ocean Institute’s divestream
Lander Lab: Chilean Ocean Lander Data Acquisition and Control System
functioning and to determine whether the data was properly stored in the microSD card.At Sea DeploymentThe first Integrated Deep-Ocean Observation System (IDOOS II) cruise was conducted from 27 September to 9 October 2023 in the Antofagasta region onboard the RV Abate Molina. The main goal of this expedition was to deploy the first deep-ocean observation system to study the physical, geological, and biological structures of the area. In addition, the new lander was launched to confirm improvements in electronic systems and structural design, gather data on the physical variability of the water column
Shipwreck Windfall: ROV Expedition Captures Maritime History
The chill, freshwater depths of Lake Ontario may not first come to mind when thinking about shipwrecks, but an expedition by the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) at the University of Rhode Island (URI) is challenging that perception. Its star explorer? A compact but mighty Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) named Rhody. What began as a mission to support NOAA’s interest in high-resolution shipwreck documentation within the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary has evolved into a dynamic academic research experience merging innovation, partnership and the expanding role of robotics in
US Coast Guard Displayed Ingenuity and Resourcefulness in Titan Response
killed five people in 2023 could have been prevented, a US Coast Guard investigative board found on Tuesday, calling the vessel’s safety culture and manager OceanGate's operational practices “critically flawed.”The Titan vanished during a descent to the Titanic wreck on a tourist expedition, losing contact with its support ship. After a tense four-day search, its shattered remains were discovered strewn across the seabed 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the bow of the wreck.The report includes information on the US Coast Guard response, saying:Despite a seven-hour initial notification
Inadequate Design, Certification and Maintenance Led to Titan Disaster
Titan submersible that killed five people in 2023 could have been prevented, a U.S. Coast Guard investigative board found on Tuesday, calling the vessel’s safety culture and operational practices “critically flawed.”The Titan vanished during a descent to the Titanic wreck on a tourist expedition, losing contact with its support ship.After a tense four-day search, its shattered remains were discovered strewn across the seabed 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the bow of the legendary ocean liner that sank in 1912, claiming more than 1,500 lives.OceanGate, the U.S.-based company that managed
Chemical-Consuming Creatures Found Deep in Pacific Trenches
their way in surviving and thriving," Du said.Some non-chemical-eating animals, sustained by eating organic matter and dead marine creatures that filter down from above, also were found living in these ecosystems, including sea anemones, spoon worms and sea cucumbers.Du, the expedition's chief scientist, described what it was like to visit this remote watery sphere."Diving in the submersible was an extraordinary experience -like traveling through time. Each descent transported me to a new deep-sea realm, as if unveiling a hidden world and unraveling its mysteries
North Pole Marathon Offers Forum for Climate Change Science Aboard Icebreaker
The North Pole marathon concluded on July 13 this year but the annual race on the world’s northernmost point is also a scientific expedition to battle climate change in the Arctic.The North Pole Forum, a scientific initiative by the marathon organiser Runbuk, offered the runners an opportunity to learn more about the North Pole’s ice sheets, the challenges around the region’s preservation and development.The Forum played out as a series of talks by global Arctic experts aboard the French icebreaker cruise ship Le Commandant Charcot that carried the runners both to and from the North
Nortek Nucleus Supports Coral Reef Photogrammetry Project
Shields, Research Fellow at the University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Robotics (ACFR). “There are theories deeper reefs can act as refuges for these corals. When shallow reefs die out, they can be reseeded with corals from deeper ecosystems.”As part of the Inkfish Coastal Seas expedition, the research team traveled to Tonga in the fall of 2024 to conduct a photogrammetry assessment of reefs in the Hapai area essentially creating a 3-dimensional map of the reefs which will be used to geo-reference their collected coral samples.However, mesophotic reefs are historically under-studied
Saab’s Sabertooth On Display Alongside First 3D Model of Endurance
exhibition July 10-13, following its contribution to the first-ever full 3D mapping of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance.The exhibition marks the first public unveiling of a 3D-printed model of Endurance, created using ultra-high-resolution imagery and laser data captured during the Endurance 22 expedition. Working in collaboration with expert partners, Sabertooth operated 3,000 meters below Antarctic ice to help scan the wreck in remarkable detail and bring the vessel back into public view.Sabertooth’s advanced autonomy, endurance and manuverability were essential to the expedition’s
August 2025
