{"id":4875,"date":"2023-08-23T21:32:06","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T01:32:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/oeci\/?page_id=4875"},"modified":"2026-05-22T13:02:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T17:02:45","slug":"projects-expeditions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/oeci\/about\/oeci-projects-main-page\/projects-expeditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Projects – Expeditions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Expeditions<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Year 7<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

July 2025 \u2013 June 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shakedown 2026<\/h2>

Pre-season shakedown of E\/V Nautilus in the Main Hawaiian Islands \u2014 testing the mapping, ROV, satellite, and telepresence systems before the 2026 field season. (NA177 \u2014 OET does not publish cruise pages for shakedown cruises.)<\/p><\/div><\/div>

OET<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Pacific Mapping<\/h2>

A seafloor mapping expedition from Hawai\u02bbi to Guam aboard E\/V Nautilus, using the newly installed EM304 mapping system to fill critical gaps in ocean floor data and enable future deep-sea habitat exploration around the Mariana Islands.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Deep-Sea Habitats in the Mariana Islands I<\/h2>

Exploration of deep-sea habitats in the Mariana region \u2014 one of the most tectonically and volcanically dynamic locations on the planet. ROV and AUV investigations of poorly studied abyssal plains, seamounts, and other deep-sea areas around the Northern Mariana Islands.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Deep-Sea Habitats in the Mariana Islands II<\/h2>

E\/V Nautilus deploys ROV, AUV Sentry, and mapping technology to study deep-sea habitats in the Mariana Islands. Includes a high-frequency acoustic recording package from NOAA PIFSC for cetacean monitoring.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Exploration of Wake Island’s Deep Sea<\/h2>

Wake Island’s surrounding seafloor remains largely unmapped. E\/V Nautilus collects critical baseline information \u2014 abyssal plains, seamounts, and potential maritime heritage sites from the Battle of Wake Island.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Deep-Sea Habitats of the Hawaiian Archipelago<\/h2>

A 20-day expedition surveying previously unexplored deep seafloor around the Hawaiian Islands \u2014 unexplored ridges and seamounts in the eastern Papah\u0101naumoku\u0101kea Marine National Monument, plus deep-sea coral monitoring.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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return to Year 7 projects directory<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Year 6<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

July 2024 \u2013 June 2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shakedown 2025<\/h2>

Pre-season shakedown of E\/V Nautilus in the Main Hawaiian Islands \u2014 testing the mapping, ROV, satellite, and telepresence systems before the 2025 field season. (NA170 \u2014 OET does not publish cruise pages for shakedown cruises.)<\/p><\/div><\/div>

OET<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Mattingan: Mariana Arc Volcanic Exploration<\/h2>

Exploration of submarine volcanic features along the Mariana Arc. (Funded under Y5C; sailed in the Y6 field season.)<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Exploring the Offshore Marianas<\/h2>

Deep-sea exploration of offshore areas around the Mariana Islands. (Funded under Y5C; sailed in the Y6 field season.)<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Maritime Archaeology of Guadalcanal: Iron Bottom Sound<\/h2>

Maritime archaeology investigating World War II\u2013era wrecks in Iron Bottom Sound, Solomon Islands.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Deep-Sea Habitats of the Marshall Islands<\/h2>

Deep-sea habitat survey of seamounts and conservation-priority areas in the Marshall Islands.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Seafloor Mapping Offshore Howland & Baker Islands<\/h2>

Seafloor mapping offshore of Howland and Baker Islands. (Originally scoped under Y6 as Fiji; sailed as Howland & Baker in 2025.)<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Deep-Sea Habitats of the Cook Islands<\/h2>

Surveying previously unmapped priority areas within the Cook Islands EEZ \u2014 abyssal plains, seamounts, and volcanic ridges of Marae Moana. Findings inform resource management decisions and are shared with the Cook Islands Government. (NA176 \u2014 Y6 funded, sailed in the Y7 calendar.)<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n
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Year 5<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Shakedown<\/h2>

This expedition prepares the ship for the coming field season. <\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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American Samoa Leg 1<\/h2>

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.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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American Samoa Leg 2<\/h2>

E Mamana Ou Gataifale II\u00a0
This expedition will use E\/V\u00a0Nautilus<\/em>\u2019 remotely operated vehicles and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution\u2019s\u00a0autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)\u00a0Sentry<\/em>\u00a0to expand the amount of exploration possible within this 20-day expedition.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Howland and Baker<\/h2>

Howland and Baker Islands lie just north of the equator, about 1,800 miles southwest of Hawai\u02bbi. 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.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Jarvis<\/h2>

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.\u00a0The expedition will now evolve into a mapping transit leg to American Samoa.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Lebuu’s Voyage I – Palau<\/h2>

\u00a0OET will lead this 11-day expedition\u00a0to gather seafloor mapping data and explore the seafloor with remotely operated vehicles to illuminate deep sea habitats around Palau.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Lebuu’s Voyage II – Palau\n<\/h2>

\u00a011-day expedition will continue exploring\u00a0Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS)\u00a0to understand seafloor features and the biodiversity that call deep sea habitats around Palau home.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Mapping and Water Column Exploration Offshore Palau\n<\/h2>

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.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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return to Year 5 projects directory<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Year 4<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Shakedown<\/h2>

Allison Fundis (OET) and Daniel Wagner (OET)

Expeditions NA147 & NA148
Testing various systems for 2023 Hawaiian Islands expeditions<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll<\/h2>

Daniel Wagner (OET)

Exploring Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll, utilizing advanced technology<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Mapping of Jarvis<\/h2>

Daniel Wagner (OET)

Mapping Jarvis Island’s seafloor, adding to scientific knowledge<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Tech Challenge – Multi-Vehicle Exploration<\/h2>

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

Tech integration expedition: USV, AUV, and DAP for ocean exploration<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Papah\u0101naumoku\u0101kea Marine National Monument (PMNM)<\/h2>

Daniel Wagner (OET)

E\/V Nautilus explores unseen deep-sea habitats in PMNM with ROV<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Johnston Atoll<\/h2>

Daniel Wagner (OET) and Larry Mayer (UNH)

Exploration in Johnston Atoll Unit, expanding knowledge of deep-sea habitats<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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return to Year 4 projects directory<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Year 3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll<\/h2>

Bob Ballard (OET)

ROV survey and geological sampling in Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Lu\u02bbuaeaahikiikekumu – Ancient Seamounts of Lili\u02bbuokalani Ridge<\/h2>

Bob Ballard (OET)

Seamount exploration in PMNM to understand geology and biodiversity<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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MultiVehicle<\/h2>

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

Testing autonomous ocean exploration systems and collaboration concepts<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Deep Seamount Biodiversity of Johnston Atoll Leg 1<\/h2>

Bob Ballard (OET)

Mapping expedition to uncover seafloor features in Johnston Atoll PRIMNM<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Deep Seamount Biodiversity of Johnston Atoll Leg 2<\/h2>

Bob Ballard (OET)

ROV dives to explore biodiversity and geology in Johnston Atoll PRIMNM<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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NWHI\/PMNM Leg 1<\/h2>

Robert Ballard (OET)

Mapping expedition in PMNM, contributing to seafloor knowledge and navigation safety<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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NWHI\/PMNM Leg 2<\/h2>

Robert Ballard (OET)

High-resolution mapping in PMNM to enhance seafloor knowledge and protection<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Years 1 and 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Benthic Communities Across Biomes<\/h2>

Interdisciplinary expedition studies Southern California Borderland’s biotic diversity, minerals, and biopharmaceutical potential<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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US EEZ Mapping<\/h2>

Mapping gaps in U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone with advanced technology<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Santa Barbara Basin & West Coast EEZ Mapping<\/h2>

Expedition explores California’s oxygen minimum zones, maps seafloor, and conducts research<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Cascadia Margin Seep Exploration<\/h2>

Exploring methane seeps along the Cascadia Margin with ROV dives<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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West Coast EEZ Mapping<\/h2>

NOAA mapping expedition in U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone supports research<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Tech Demo NUI\/Mesobot<\/h2>

Expedition tests autonomous underwater vehicles off the Southern California coast<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Mapping to Hawaii<\/h2>

E\/V Nautilus maps central Pacific, addressing seabed mapping gaps<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Liliuokalani Ridge Seamounts<\/h2>

Expedition maps Lili\u02bbuokalani Seamounts in Papah\u0101naumoku\u0101kea Marine National Monument<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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S. Wentworth & Don Quixote<\/h2>

ROV survey explores seamounts in Papah\u0101naumoku\u0101kea Marine National Monument for biology and geology<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Chautauqua Seamounts<\/h2>

ROV survey and geological sampling in Chautauqua Seamount<\/p><\/div><\/div>

VIEW EXPEDITION INFO<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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return to Years 1 and 2 projects directory<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Expeditions Year 7 July 2025 \u2013 June 2026 Year 6 July 2024 \u2013 June 2025 Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Years 1 and 2<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4819,"featured_media":0,"parent":4328,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-4875","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/oeci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/oeci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/oeci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/oeci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4819"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/oeci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4875"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/oeci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4875\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6355,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/oeci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4875\/revisions\/6355"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/oeci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4328"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/oeci\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}