Current expedition

Deep-Sea Habitats of the Cook Islands

October 1 – 21, 2025
Description and highlights
Current Status
Exploring Now
Wilhite headshot for NA176
Update
We are continuing through L1010, a 36-hour dive with Little Hercules through an abyssal plain site roughly 110 nautical miles north of Aitutaki. Our video surveys of the seafloor are contributing to a broader understanding of this never-before-explored seafloor with particular attention to the biodiversity and biomass. Drop your questions for our team below! 
1 hour 31 minutes ago
Ship Location
Waters of the Cook Islands
Our team is in the control room and ready for your questions!

Live Data

ROV Little Hercules icon
ROV Little Hercules Depth
ROV Atalanta icon
ROV (Towsled) Atalanta Depth
Ship Heading
Wind Speed
Wind Angle
More data

Ship location

Current Watch

Video Engineer

Atalanta Pilot

Hercules Pilot

Hercules Pilot

Navigator

Communications

Data Logger

Data Logger

Recent Posts

Little Hercules vs Hercules
Ocean Exploration Trust

On the NA176 expedition exploring the deep ocean around the Cook Islands, our Corps of Exploration is using both ROV Hercules and a smaller vehicle known as ROV Little Hercules. Learn the differences between these two pieces of ocean exploration technology with this fun infographic.
 

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