Cook Islands Deep Sea ROV Exploration - Camera 3

From July 19-August 13, NOAA Ocean Exploration, the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, and partners will conduct a 26-day cruise on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to increase our understanding of the seafloor and water column in the deep waters of the Cook Islands, better characterize the resources and ecosystems they hold, and support Cook Islands-led decision-making. The 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration cruise will include remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives to explore the seafloor and water column, mapping operations, Argo float deployments, other sensors, and continuous shore-side participation via telepresence technology.

All things permitting, when the ship is not in transit, dives will be streamed most days between July 20 and August 7. Note that plans are subject to change. Over the course of the cruise, we will conduct ROV dives at depths ranging from approximately 2,500 to 6,000 meters (1.6 to 3.7 miles) to explore habitats at seamount, knoll, and plateau features.

Learn more about the cruise here: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition/ex2605/

This live ROV camera captures the alien landscape of the abyssal seafloor in the Cook Islands region, revealing pale mollusk shells, sediment patterns, and rocky formations in near-total darkness thousands of meters below the surface. Watch real-time exploration of extreme deep-sea habitats and the unique fauna adapted to these remote, high-pressure environments.