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A small inflatable boat with two motors on the back holds five people with hard hats and all-weather gear. One person is steering the boat, one is sitting near the bow, and three are on the right side, holding a pole that attaches to a long, yellow, torpedo-shaped vehicle beside the boat. An MBARI logo is visible near the front of the vehicle. A white net covers the bow of the boat. The ocean surface is varying shades of blue to dark blue and has small ripples.
Expedition Log

09.12.25

Wrapping up the expedition

Wrapping up the expedition Expedition log by MBARI Senior Scientist Aaron Micallef As our MBARI activities draw to a close, we have crossed into the Chukchi Sea, reaching as far north as 77°N before beginning our southward journey. This marks the start of the next phase of the expedition, which will continue under the leadership …

Two long yellow torpedo-shaped vehicles sit side-by-side, strapped to a ship deck. They both have MBARI’s logo on the side toward the front of the vehicle, on the left side in the photo. They also have a Canadian flag sticker on them, closer to the end of the vehicle. Their propellers are black. A yellow container is strapped to the deck to the left and behind the vehicles. The deck is covered in snow and ice. In the background, the ocean is dark grey with very dense sea ice cover. The sky is light grey.
Expedition Log

09.04.25

A touch of winter

A touch of winter Expedition log by MBARI Senior Research Specialist Jenny Paduan A storm was predicted for August 30 with wind gusts of 60 knots and 2.5 meters (over eight feet) swells near the Canadian Beaufort coast, where we have been working. This inspired the captain to take the IBRV Araon into the dense …

Four people in coats and hats stand on a green surface looking at the camera. They stand next to a remotely operated vehicle. The vehicle sits on a grey metal stand. A white rail with white netting is behind the people. In the background, the ocean is calm with a high density of sea ice. The bright yellow setting sun is just above the horizon of sea and ice. The sky is yellow and orange on the left side of the frame and filled with white and grey puffy clouds on the right.
Expedition Log

09.02.25

Meet the MiniROV

Meet the MiniROV Expedition log by MBARI Senior Scientist Aaron Micallef Today, we’re highlighting one of the most exciting pieces of technology aboard this expedition—a scalable mapping and navigation system mounted on MBARI’s MiniROV. Developed by the CoMPAS Lab, this platform is designed to test how far low-cost, adaptable sensors can take us in exploring …

A large yellow, torpedo-shaped vehicle hangs from a line above the ocean. Two lines attach to the front of the vehicle and extend toward to the left of the image. The ocean is deep blue with small waves. The sky is light blue at the top of the image.
Expedition Log

08.28.25

First mapping survey

First mapping survey Expedition log by MBARI Senior Scientist Aaron Micallef When we reached our working area, we were still met with ice cover, which forced us to adapt our plans. Instead of deploying all the instruments we had hoped for, we began with multibeam mapping to chart the seafloor, sub-bottom profiling to peer beneath …
Expedition Log

08.25.25

Life at sea

Life at sea Expedition log by MBARI Senior Scientist Aaron Micallef The first full days at sea have been a mix of preparation, discovery, and settling into the rhythm of life aboard the IBRV Araon. With calm seas guiding us eastward, we have been busy testing instruments, holding coordination meetings, and fine-tuning our workflow so …

A beach with dark grey and brown sand in the foreground and ocean in the background. On the beach are bones from a whale and remnants of an overturned grey wooden boat. Two long bones form an arch. A red and white ship appears on the ocean offshore through the arch.
Expedition Log

08.22.25

Departure from Utqiagvik

Departure from Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow, Alaska) Expedition log by MBARI Senior Scientist Aaron Micallef We arrived in Utqiagvik on August 19, 2025, and were transferred to the Korean ice-breaking research vessel Araon by helicopter on August 20, 2025. We spent the first day setting up equipment on board, coordinating logistics, and carrying out a safety drill …

A dark blue banner advertises the 2025 MBARI Open House. The MBARI logo is at the top left with the words Open House in capital letters below in white. A circular photo near the top right side of the banner shows an MBARI staff member in brown sunglasses and a blue t-shirt giving a sticker to two visitors wearing gray hooded sweatshirts. A circular photo in the center of the banner shows a child wearing a gray sweatshirt building a robot out of plastic pipes. A circular photo on the center right side of the banner shows an MBARI staff member wearing a blue hat, blue t-shirt, and gray pants talking to a visitor wearing a gray hat, green jacket, and blue graphic t-shirt, and pointing to a robot. Light teal-blue decorative illustrations depict a research vessel, a gulper eel, an autonomous underwater vehicle, a vampire squid, and small round bubbles. On the left side of the banner is white text reading date and time: Saturday, July 12, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Below is yellow text reading location: 7700 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing, California. Below that is white text reading: Join us for this free event!
Press Release

06.12.25

MBARI hosts 2025 Open House on Saturday, July 12

MBARI’s annual Open House is a free, family-friendly community event where visitors can meet the MBARI team and learn more about our latest discoveries and technology innovations.