Interdisciplinary Ocean Exploration

The 2001 President's Panel Report on Ocean Exploration defined exploration as “discovery through disciplined diverse observations and the recording of the findings.” The exploratory component of NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration and Research seeks to focus the best undersea assets and scientific minds on ocean exploration by conducting reconnaissance expeditions to unknown and poorly known ocean areas.

Interdisciplinary expeditions are a keystone of ocean exploration with scientists from multiple fields.  Traditionally this is done through an annual call for proposals.  Continuing in this spirit, in 2008 OER will begin a global program of ocean exploration using the exploration vessel, the NOAA Ship OKEANOS EXPLORER.

The NOAA Ship OKEANOS EXPLORER will sail in late 2008 as the nation's only vessel dedicated solely to ocean exploration. Among many state-of-the-art systems, it will carry a dedicated 6000 meter science-class remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Other mission-related systems include a 30 kHz multi-beam sonar and a dynamic positioning system. Unlike any other oceanographic vessel anywhere, a satellite-based telepresence system will enable teams of scientists ashore as well as teachers, students and the general public to participate in expeditions in real-time through continuous, broadband, HD video distributed via Internet 2.

In addition to the work that will be done on the NOAA Ship OKEANOS EXPLORER, annual solicitations for proposals from the US and international ocean science communities provide the means to implement exploration. These proposals embrace all disciplines of oceanography, including marine archaeology, and utilize seagoing assets supported by University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) as well as marine institutions and private industry.

• Discovering Ecosystem Processes
• Exploring the Human Past
• Mapping Unknown or Poorly Known Features and Habitats
• Discovering New Ocean Resources