View images from the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer during the Gulf of Mexico 2012 Expedition, follow the daily updates, mission logs, video and LIVE Video Feeds. NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration and Research guides Okeanos Explorer, known as “America’s ship for ocean exploration,” as the ship travels the globe to map and characterize largely unknown areas of the ocean.

Scientists on board Okeanos Explorer use tools such a deepwater multibeam sonar mapping system and remotely operated vehicles (ROV) to explore at depths down to 4,000 meters. Images and high-definition video from ROVs are sent from the seafloor to the ship and to shore in real-time using a technology referred to as “telepresence.” Although Okeanos Explorer may be thousands of miles away, the scientists standing watch at shore-side "exploration command centers" throughout the country are able to help guide the ship through its mission. And the same seafloor images and video seen by scientists are streamed live into classrooms, newsrooms, and living rooms through high-speed Internet.

Be sure to click the icon to see other videos and slideshows from 2008-2012 expeditions.

Images courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program.

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