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2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS: West Coast Exploration (ROV and Mapping) (EX2301)
Past Expedition
Primary Goal
Evaluate the preparedness of mission systems for 2023 field season and collect information to support further exploration and research and inform resource management decisions and activities off the west coasts of Oregon, California, and Washington
Dates
April 13 - 27, 2023
Location
Pacific Ocean
Vessel
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer
Primary Technology
Multibeam sonar, remotely operated vehicles Deep Discoverer and Seirios
Expedition Summary
In order to prepare for upcoming 2023 operations and further our understanding of deep waters off California, Oregon, and Washington, NOAA Ocean Exploration conducted 9 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives, collected a total of 92 biological and geological samples, and mapped the seafloor during the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.
Highlights from science work completed during the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS: West Coast Exploration expedition. Collected information will support further exploration and research and inform resource management decisions and activities off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. Video courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration.Download largest version (mp4, 152 MB)
The convergent tectonic boundary that stretches from along the coast of northern California to southern British Columbia provided the backdrop for the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition. While the active geological features, rich biodiversity, and proximity to the coastline mean that this region has been the focus of scientific studies for decades, much about the area, particularly what lies in deeper waters, remains unknown and unexplored. The mapping and ROV exploration that took place during this expedition not only increased our basic understanding of the region, but will also yield data to inform management and protection of regional deep-sea habitats; support local scientists and managers seeking to better manage deep-sea resources; and stimulate subsequent exploration, research, and management activities.
Operational Overview
Map showing the location of dives conducted during the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition as well as preliminary bathymetry data collected during mapping operations. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 409 KB).
Days at sea: 15
ROV dives: 9, ranging in depth from 351 to 3,956 meters (1,151 to 12,979 feet)
Biological and geological samples collected: 92
Water samples collected for eDNA analysis: 45
Live video views: Approximately 50,700
Shakedown Operations
During the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition, the team successfully achieved one of the main expedition goals of evaluating the preparedness of mission systems for the remainder of the 2023 field season. These “shakedown” operations included calibrating, testing, assessing, and then adjusting the ship’s acoustic mapping systems and associated equipment to ensure mapping systems on board Okeanos Explorer are tuned and ready for a full season of exploration and discovery.
The team also conducted six successful shakedown dives to conduct rigorous tests of ROVs Deep Discoverer and Seirios. During these dives, the vehicles were deployed at varying depths to assess and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and software systems, ensuring that the vehicles are well prepared for the coming field season and operating smoothly after the winter repair period.
During the second dive of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition, engineers with the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration used a bag filled with rocks to test and practice the use of the manipulator arm on remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Deep Discoverer. The bag also served as a target for testing other tools on the ROV, such as the temperature probe (middle) and suction sampler (right). Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration.Download largest version (jpg, 1.38 MB).
During each expedition dive, five water samples were collected at various depths via niskin bottles attached to ROV Deep Discoverer. Once back on board, the expedition team used a U.S. Geological Survey pump filtration system to process the water samples for later eDNA (environmental DNA) analyses, with the goal of testing and evaluating the system for use on future expeditions on Okeanos Explorer.
Expedition geology science lead Paige Koenig and expedition biology science lead Alexis Weinning set up the eDNA (environmental DNA) test kit associated with the water U.S. Geological Survey filtration system tested during the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition. Image courtesy of Art Howard, Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration/ NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS: West Coast Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 19.3 MB).
Deep Dives For Science
Over the course of the expedition, the team conducted nine ROV dives. While engineering objectives were the focus of six of these dives, each dive, regardless of its focus, resulted in new scientific insights that served to increase our understanding of this region. Visual observations made using the cameras on ROVs Deep Discoverer and Seirios resulted in range extensions of several species, observations of organisms demonstrating behaviors not previously seen, and increased understanding of regional geologic context and potential geohazards. Additionally, the team collected 92 biological and geological samples for later analyses. Some scientific highlights from the dives are shown below.
Telepresence technology on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer allows us to engage scientists, students, and members of the public around the world during expedition dives. During the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition, we were able to connect with more than 150 individuals through live ship-to-shore interactions. Additionally, live video feeds from the expedition received more than 50,000 views and expedition web content was visited more than 12,800 times.
On April 28, once Okeanos Explorer arrived in Seattle, Washington, at the end of the expedition, NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners hosted tours of the ship for 25 individuals, including members of the media, representatives from the Port of Seattle and the Seattle Aquarium, and staff from NOAA and the U.S. Geological Survey. On April 29, a public port event drew over a thousand people who were given tours to see and learn about Okeanos Explorer and the ROVs used to explore the deep ocean. The public also had the opportunity to engage with a variety of NOAA offices, including NOAA Ocean Exploration, the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Office of Coast Survey, NOAA Fisheries, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, and the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.
NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition coordinator Thomas Morrow discusses the capabilities of remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer with several members of the media who toured the ship after the end of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration.Download largest version (jpg, 14.8 MB).
Staff from NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center answer questions from a young explorer during the port event that took place in Seattle, Washington, following the end of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration.Download largest version (jpg, 14.5 MB).
Members of the general public file up the gangplank of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during the port event that took place in Seattle, Washington, following the end of the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition. During external tours, visitors were able to get up close to remotely operated vehicles Deep Discoverer and Seirios and learn about the many technologies that are used to explore the deep ocean. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration.Download largest version (jpg, 13.1 MB).
Collecting and Sharing Data
All data collected during the the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition will contribute to EXpanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems (EXPRESS), a multiyear, multipartner campaign are intended to guide wise use of living marine resources and habitats, inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions, and improve offshore hazard assessments in waters off California, Oregon, and Washington.
Collected data includes multibeam, single beam, sub-bottom, ADCP (acoustic Doppler current profiler), XBT (expendable bathythermograph), CTD (conductivity, temperature, and depth), and dissolved oxygen profiles; surface oceanographic and meteorological sensors; video and imagery; and physical specimens. All data from this expedition will be publicly available through national archives. A direct link to the expedition data archives will be provided on the expedition landing page of this website once the data are available.
Sometimes, we can go an entire expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer without seeing a single octopus. Thankfully, this has not been the case for the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition. In celebration, we bring to you a collection of eight videos of these charismatic animals seen throughout the expedition.
Sometimes, we can go an entire expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer without seeing a single octopus. Thankfully, this has not been the case for the 2023 Shakedown + EXPRESS West Coast Exploration expedition. In celebration, we bring to you a collection of eight videos of these charismatic animals seen throughout the expedition.
In May, NOAA Ocean Exploration completed the largest continuous mapping survey effort to date over the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone, collecting bathymetric data along this geologically fascinating and ecologically exceptional region. In June, Mission Blue re-launched the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone Hope Spot. In this essay, Hope Spot Champion Professor David Johnson relays what makes this deep-sea fracture zone and the life found within it so unique and worth discovering, understanding, and protecting.
Starting April 15, NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners will be diving within deep waters off the U.S. West Coast, from Oregon to Washington, and you are invited to join – LIVE!
On April 29, 2023, NOAA Ocean Exploration will spearhead a public port event in Seattle, Washington, in conjunction with regional NOAA entities. The port event will provide the public the chance to tour NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer and get a close-up look at the remotely operated vehicles used to explore the seafloor and water column, and to see deep-sea specimens, newly created bathymetric maps, and videos from past expeditions.
Our Learn & Discover page provides the best of what the NOAA Ocean Exploration website has to offer to support educators in the classroom during this expedition. Each theme page includes expedition features, lessons, multimedia, career information, and associated past expeditions. Below are related top education themes for this expedition.
