Okeanos Explorer (EX1602): Mission System Shakedown/CAPSTONE Mapping

Vessel: NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer; Expedition Dates: February 12 - 17, 2016

Project Principals: Kasey Cantwell, NOAA/OAR/OER (Co-Expedition Coordinator); Lindsay McKenna, NOAA/OAR/OER (Co-Expedition Coordinator and Mapping Lead)

Operations will use the ship's deep water mapping systems (Kongsberg EM302 multibeam sonar, EK60 split-beam fisheries sonars, Knudsen 3260 chirp sub-bottom profiler sonar, Teledyne RDI Workhorse Mariner and Ocean Surveyor ADCPs), NOAA's two-body 6,000 m remotely operated vehicle (ROVs Deep Discoverer and Seirios) system, CTD rosette, and the ship's high-bandwidth satellite connection for real-time ship to shore communications. ROV dives will mostly be conducted during the day, while CTD casts, and multibeam, singlebeam, and sub-bottom acoustic mapping will occur when the ROV is on deck. Exact locations of discrete ROV dives and mapping operations will be determined during the cruise as results of engineering and shakedown tests are evaluated and once weather and operational constraints are factored in.