The Ocean Exploration Trust was founded in 2008 by Dr. Robert Ballard—best known for his discovery of RMS Titanic’s final resting place and as a National Geographic Explorer in Residence—to engage in pure ocean exploration. Our international programs center on scientific exploration of the seafloor with expeditions launched from Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus, a 64-meter research vessel operated by the Ocean Exploration Trust. In addition to conducting scientific research, we offer our expeditions to explorers on shore via live video, audio, and data feeds from the field. We also bring educators and students aboard during E/V Nautilus expeditions, offering them hands-on experience in ocean exploration, research, and communications.

The 2017 Nautilus Expedition will launch the third year of exploration in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and will be one of the most extensive seasons to date. From May to November, Nautilus will document and survey unexplored regions from British Columbia, Canada, along the West Coast of the United States, to Baja California, Mexico.

2017 Nautilus Expeditions

Endeavor vent field
Ocean Networks Canada
June 5 – 22, 2017
NA081
Mapping Cascadia Margin
Seafloor Mapping the US EEZ
June 24 – July 4, 2017
NA082
Abiss lander
Central California Technology Testing
July 31 – August 3, 2017
NA084
Mystery trawl door
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
August 6 – 15, 2017
NA085
Many creatures at Heceta Bank
Heceta Bank
September 6 – 9, 2017
NA087
Seafloor mapping in the US EEZ
Seafloor Mapping the US EEZ
September 12 – 30, 2017
NA088
False color sonar map of seamount
Mapping Revillagigedo Archipelago
October 3 – 17, 2017
NA089
Red tube worms
Gulf of California
October 20 – 27, 2017
NA090
Tube worms
Pescadero Basin
October 30 – November 5, 2017
NA091
Vampire squid
Revillagigedo Archipelago
November 8 – 19, 2017
NA092