Shakedown

Guam

Mariana

Fiji

Exploration of deep-sea habitats of Fiji – This project will explore the deep-sea habitats of Fiji using the E/V Nautilus and its ROVs. The expedition will focus on collecting baseline information about the region’s geology, biology, and oceanography. The project will support the Fiji National Ocean Policy and the Fiji Marine Spatial Planning process. The expedition will also engage a broad spectrum of scientists, resource managers, and the public in telepresence-based exploration.

Solomon Islands

This project will explore the underwater cultural heritage sites in the Iron Bottom Sound, Solomon Islands, the site of significant naval battles during World War II. The project will use a combination of autonomous surface vehicles (USVs) and ROVs to map the seafloor and document the wrecks. The project will also work to educate the public about the importance of preserving these historic sites.

Marshall Islands

This project will use E/V Nautilus to explore the deep-sea habitats of the Marshall Islands, including seamounts, submarine canyons, coral and sponge habitats, and other areas of high conservation value. The expedition will collect high-resolution seafloor mapping data, conduct ROV dives, and collect geological, biological, and eDNA water samples. The project will engage a broad spectrum of scientists, resource managers, and the public.

Shakedown

This expedition prepares the ship for the coming field season.

American Samoa Leg 1

E Mamana Ou Gataifale I
Muti-Vehicle Exploration – 18-day expedition to explore the dynamic seafloor and water column habitats surrounding Vailulu’u Seamount, in addition to midwater and other unexplored deep-sea habitats in the region.

American Samoa Leg 2

E Mamana Ou Gataifale II 
This expedition will use E/V Nautilus’ remotely operated vehicles and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Sentry to expand the amount of exploration possible within this 20-day expedition. 

Howland and Baker

Howland and Baker Islands lie just north of the equator, about 1,800 miles southwest of Hawaiʻi. The islands are low-lying, sandy coral islands ringed by narrow fringing reefs and surrounded by the deep ocean. The US exclusive economic zone around Howland and Baker represents one of the least explored regions under US jurisdiction.

Jarvis

Mapping Hawaii to American Samoa
Ongoing repair to a ship system has changed plans for the expedition, postponing the ROV exploration portion of this expedition within the Jarvis Unit of PRIMNM. The expedition will now evolve into a mapping transit leg to American Samoa. 

Lebuu’s Voyage I – Palau

 OET will lead this 11-day expedition to gather seafloor mapping data and explore the seafloor with remotely operated vehicles to illuminate deep sea habitats around Palau.

Lebuu’s Voyage II – Palau

 11-day expedition will continue exploring Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) to understand seafloor features and the biodiversity that call deep sea habitats around Palau home.

Mapping and Water Column Exploration Offshore Palau

This expedition takes us from Palau to Guam for 17 days of mapping. Beginning in late November in Koror, Palau, and ending in December in Apra, Guam where it will stay for the winter.

Shakedown

Allison Fundis (OET) and Daniel Wagner (OET)

Expeditions NA147 & NA148
Testing various systems for 2023 Hawaiian Islands expeditions

Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll

Daniel Wagner (OET)

Exploring Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll, utilizing advanced technology

Mapping of Jarvis

Daniel Wagner (OET)

Mapping Jarvis Island’s seafloor, adding to scientific knowledge

Tech Challenge – Multi-Vehicle Exploration

Larry Mayer (UNH), Rick Murray (WHOI), Robert Ballard (OET), and Adam Soule (URI)

Tech integration expedition: USV, AUV, and DAP for ocean exploration

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM)

Daniel Wagner (OET)

E/V Nautilus explores unseen deep-sea habitats in PMNM with ROV

Johnston Atoll

Daniel Wagner (OET) and Larry Mayer (UNH)

Exploration in Johnston Atoll Unit, expanding knowledge of deep-sea habitats

Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll

Bob Ballard (OET)

ROV survey and geological sampling in Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument

Luʻuaeaahikiikekumu – Ancient Seamounts of Liliʻuokalani Ridge

Bob Ballard (OET)

Seamount exploration in PMNM to understand geology and biodiversity

MultiVehicle

Larry Mayer (UNH), Rick Murray (WHOI), Robert Ballard (OET), Adam Soule (URI) and Jason Fahy (URI)

Testing autonomous ocean exploration systems and collaboration concepts

Deep Seamount Biodiversity of Johnston Atoll Leg 1

Bob Ballard (OET)

Mapping expedition to uncover seafloor features in Johnston Atoll PRIMNM

Deep Seamount Biodiversity of Johnston Atoll Leg 2

Bob Ballard (OET)

ROV dives to explore biodiversity and geology in Johnston Atoll PRIMNM

NWHI/PMNM Leg 1

Robert Ballard (OET)

Mapping expedition in PMNM, contributing to seafloor knowledge and navigation safety

NWHI/PMNM Leg 2

Robert Ballard (OET)

High-resolution mapping in PMNM to enhance seafloor knowledge and protection

Benthic Communities Across Biomes

Interdisciplinary expedition studies Southern California Borderland’s biotic diversity, minerals, and biopharmaceutical potential

US EEZ Mapping

Mapping gaps in U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone with advanced technology

Santa Barbara Basin & West Coast EEZ Mapping

Expedition explores California’s oxygen minimum zones, maps seafloor, and conducts research

Cascadia Margin Seep Exploration

Exploring methane seeps along the Cascadia Margin with ROV dives

West Coast EEZ Mapping

NOAA mapping expedition in U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone supports research

Tech Demo NUI/Mesobot

Expedition tests autonomous underwater vehicles off the Southern California coast

Mapping to Hawaii

E/V Nautilus maps central Pacific, addressing seabed mapping gaps

Liliuokalani Ridge Seamounts

Expedition maps Liliʻuokalani Seamounts in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

S. Wentworth & Don Quixote

ROV survey explores seamounts in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument for biology and geology

Chautauqua Seamounts

ROV survey and geological sampling in Chautauqua Seamount