There is nothing I find more exciting and humbling than to look into the deep ocean. On the surface, the ocean looks so familiar, but beneath lies a whole new, unfamiliar world filled with organisms and processes that have evolved in unimaginable ways. From the control room aboard MBARI’s research vessel David Packard, I suddenly found myself face-to-face with a world that most people never see, thanks to the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Doc Ricketts. 

As part of the Ocean Margins Initiative, I’m studying how nutrient-rich waters from the deep ocean contribute to blooms of productivity near the coast. The deep sea plays a vital role in ocean health. As a student collaborator with MBARI Scientist Colleen Durkin, I’m thrilled to join this expedition to explore this connection further. 

Surrounded by monitors, controls, and a team of pilots and scientists, this hidden world appeared right before my eyes. In front of me, the live video feed unveiled the deep ocean, and that felt absolutely magical. What I watched on the screen seemed almost otherworldly: beautiful creatures so gently and carefully designed, swimming across the screens in grandeur. 

Getting the ROV close enough to a larvacean for a clean shot without disturbing its delicate mucous “house” takes a kind of patience with small and deliberate movements—yeah, the MBARI pilots are built for this! I didn’t just watch, I was controlling it. Frankly, being trusted with the controls, even briefly, put me inside MBARI’s operational world in a way no research paper in a scientific journal ever could.

What fascinated me was not only the footage, but also the room and the people in it. Every screen and every person had a unique role, and that was beautiful.