Current Mission

R/V Endeavor and R/V Henry B Bigelow

R/V Bigelow and R/V Endeavor, Aug 2022

E/V Nautilus

R/V Sarmiento de Gamboa – May 2021

R/V Armstrong, July 2021

R/V Catapult, Feb-Mar 2021

R/V Armstrong, March 2020

R/V Manta, September 2019

R/V Rachel Carson, June 2019

MV Alucia, March 2019

R/V Revelle and R/V Ride, Aug-Sep 2018

NOAA Ship Bigelow, April 2018

Mission posts

Deep-See is deployed from aboard the R/V Bigelow. While winch trouble has stalled full operations, the team has managed to push forward with modified deployments and manual effort. (Photo by Annette Govindarajan © Woods Hole Oceanograhic Institution)

Field Notes: The show must go on

A viperfish, a common name for species in the genus Chauliodus. The viperfish’s ventral sides are covered in tiny spots called photophores, which allow them to camouflage themselves in the murky light that penetrates the Ocean Twilight Zone. (Photo by Andrea Vale © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Field Notes: All is not lost

An engineer supervises as the MOCNESS is deployed for the first time during this OTZ cruise. The winch failed while recovering MOCNESS after its second deployment. (Photo by Andrea Vale © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Field Notes: Technical difficulties

Katy Baker cups four myctophids, two hatchet fish and a sawtooth eel in her hand. Myctophids, or lanternfish, sport bioluminescent lights on their underbellies, creating counterillumination that helps them blend in against the relatively sunlit surface above. (Photo by Andrea Vale © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Field Notes: The big reveal

Engineering personnel make final checks and adjustments to the Deep-See before its first deployment. Weighing 2,500 pounds, the Deep-See requires several team members - and a strong winch - to deploy and recover. (Photo by Andrea Vale © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Field Notes: Deep-Sea tests the waters

Joel Llopiz directs engineers as they maneuver the MOCNESS, or the Multiple Opening and Closing Net with an Environmental Sensing System.
(Photo by Andrea Vale © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Field Notes: Testing MOCNESS

Science personnel untangle the ropes that make up the MOCNESS tow net aboard the R/V Henry B. Bigelow. (Photo by Andrea Vale © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Field Notes: R/V Bigelow sets sail

R/V <em>Catapult</em> as seen from its dinghy. (Photo: Jennifer Berglund)

Field Notes: Success!

Allan Adams wows us with his DIY radiometer filter, scrapped together from an empty Illy coffee can. “The Illy can has now been retired to the MacGyver Hall of Fame,” said Senior Scientist Dana Yoerger.
(Photo: Dana Yoerger.)

Field Notes: Adapting to Rough Seas

Captain David Ullman preps Catapult for a 2:30am departure. (Photo: Jennifer Berglund)

Field Notes: Hunting an Isolume

Research Technician Fredrick Marin attaches a highly-sensitive radiometer to <em>Mesobot</em>. Credit: Jennifer Berglund

Field Notes: Catching Light

The intruding whale. (Photo: David Ullman)

Field Notes: An Unexpected Guest