The Okeanos Explorer is the newest vessel in NOAA's fleet and the first to be dedicated solely to exploration and discovery missions. It's equipped with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), sophisticated multibeam sonar technology for mapping the sea floor as deep as 6000 meters (nearly 20,000 feet), and 24-hour satellite telecommunications equipment to beam images in real time from the ship and ROV to destinations on shore. The Okeanos Explorer will map and explore the world's ocean depths, primed for making new discoveries with every mission it undertakes. The ship's first voyage will be to the waters off Indonesia in a joint mission with Indonesian scientists to investigate the deep reefs and active fault zones of one of the world's most diverse ecosystems. Venture into the vast and largely unknown ocean and follow along with the Okeanos Explorer scientists and crew on their discovery voyages.

Images courtesy of NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research. Hymenodora glacialis:Image by Russ Hopcroft, NOAA. Octopod, Benthoctopus sp.: Image courtesy of Bruce Strickrott, Expedition to the Deep Slope, NOAA-OE. Anemone: Aquapix and Expedition to the Deep Slope 2007, NOAA-OE. Red Medusa, Atolla gigantea: Image courtesy of 2007: Exploring the Inner Space of the Celebes Sea. Brittle Stars: Courtesy of British Antarctic Survey. Ice Fish: Courtesy of British Antarctic Survey. Narcomedusae: Image courtesy of Kevin Raskoff, California State University, Monterey Bay. Octopus: Courtesy of British Antarctic Survey. Polychaete Worm: Courtesy of British Antarctic Survey, Sea Spider: Courtesy of British Antarctic Survey.

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