Wired Pier
Environmental Field Station

Research and Exploration Ships docked at the Exploratorium

Pier 17 is more than just a home for the Exploratorium, it’s a working port. We periodically host ships as they take a break between research and exploration missions along the west coast and the Pacific. These vessels may be exploring and mapping the deep sea, studying environmental conditions, or assessing the health of ocean ecosystems.

The Exploratorium’s Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery offers an intimate view of these floating laboratories. And occasionally, visiting scientists or crew members take time out to talk with museum visitors about what it’s like to do science at sea. 

Sensors on top of the Bay Observatory
NOAA R/V Ronald H. Brown

Ship Visit Log

Ship Operated By Current Mission Arrival Date Depature Date
Dar Młodzieży Gdynia Maritime University

The ship is visiting San Francisco after spending time in the Philippine Sea. Crew from the ship will be speaking in the Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery on the evening of Thursday, Dec 20th, 2018.

Tuesday, December 18, 2018 Saturday, December 22, 2018
E/V Nautilus Ocean Exploration Trust

The E/V Nautilus is docked at the Exploratorium as it transitions between research cruises. Before arriving, the ship was mapping the seafloor in transit between Honolulu and San Francisco. From here it will be traveling to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to explore a deep-sea reef near Davidson Seamount, an inactive volcanic undersea mountain habitat off the coast of central California.

Friday, October 19, 2018 Sunday, October 21, 2018
R/V Falkor Schmidt Ocean Institute

Researching methane bubbles to better understand breakdown of methane in seawater and inform future climate models and researching hydrothermal vent ecosystems to better understand the biology around hydrothermal vents off the California coast.

Thursday, September 20, 2018 Sunday, September 30, 2018
R/V Reuben Lasker NOAA

Survey of deep-sea fish populations along the West Coast.

Thursday, August 9, 2018 Sunday, August 12, 2018
R/V Bell M. Shimada NOAA

Pre-recruit survey with the National Maritime Fisheries Service

Friday, September 2, 2016 Tuesday, September 6, 2016
E/V Nautilus Ocean Exploration Trust

Explore ship wrecks, deep sea coral gardens and how the unique geology of the submerged coastline contributes to some of the richest ecosystems in the world. 

Friday, August 19, 2016 Friday, August 19, 2016
R/V Reuben Lasker NOAA

Survey of the distributions and amounts of pelagic fish species from Newport, Oregon to Point Conception, California.

Sunday, April 10, 2016 Sunday, April 10, 2016
R/V Ronald H. Brown NOAA

 West Coast ocean acidification study.

Friday, May 1, 2015 Friday, May 1, 2015
R/V Bell M. Shimada NOAA Sunday, June 30, 2013 Sunday, June 30, 2013