Current expedition

Maritime Archaeology of Guadalcanal: Iron Bottom Sound

July 2 – 23, 2025
Description and highlights
Current Status
Vehicles on Deck
Megan Cook Headshot
Update
After a quick bounce-dive to groundtruth a seafloor target identified during shallow-water mapping operations, we have ROVs back on deck. Check out the Gallery tab to get caught up on our discovery of the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Teruzuki, the discovery of the bow of USS New Orleans, and exploration of USS Northampton, and USS Vincennes here in Iron Bottom Sound!
1 hour ago
Ship Location
Iron Bottom Sound, Solomon Islands
Our team is not available to answer questions at this time.

Technology

Ship location

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In accordance with federal regulations, international best practices, and OET policies, location data for maritime heritage sites is restricted from public release.

Current Watch

Watch Leader

Scientist

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Hercules Pilot

Atalanta Pilot

Navigator

Video Engineer

Communications

On shore

Scientist
Scientist
Scientist
Scientist

Recent Posts

USS new orleans bow OET
Ocean Exploration Trust

🚨 New wreck alert! We're proud to share the first photos of the newly discovered bow blown off the World War II heavy cruiser USS New Orleans. 
 

HMS Canberra
US National Archives

Eighty years after World War II, the NA173 expedition brings together archaeological experts from all combatant nations — the United States, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand— as well as interdisciplinary experts worldwide through the Scientist Ashore program. In locating and exploring these historically significant sites, this expedition aims to honor those lost and keep alive the memory of sacrifices made during the Battles of Guadalcanal, as well as highlight the significance of this unique place globally. 
 

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