2024-07-14T18:21:11.485

NotApplicable

2024-07-15T04:51:15.96

This is a full-depth check dive for SuBastian, intended to help identify potential ground faults and hash out other issues ahead of the research dives planned for the rest of the cruise. From launch point we will begin to descend towards touchdown at 4420m while stopping/troubleshooting as needed. Once on bottom we will start moving east about 800m towards the 4,500m contour. The “UFO seamount” is likely just above 4,420m therefore allowing us to touch bottom and finally gather visual evidence of extraterrestrial lifeforms. Vertical travel time is about 3:07 each way, total 6:15, allowing about 5:45 for troubleshooting and opportunistic sampling/filming. Once objectives are fulfilled we will recover and proceed.

2024-07-18T18:57:09.437

NotApplicable

2024-07-19T13:56:30.924

This 24-hour dive will explore the southeast flank of the Shorygin seamount. It is likely the first ever ROV investigation of this massive feature. Our dive will launch to 980m depth and begin a 2NM track, ascending a current-facing ridge line up to the summit plateau at about 240m. The track begins by traversing a small volcanic cone at about 900m, and continues up a steeper bulge onto a narrow shelf at about 700m, before a westward leaning diagonal rise to the tabletop at about 240m. Once at tabletop depth, we will continue west along the break for about 400m before turning north onto the plateau for the final stretch of the dive. Recovery from 240m. Filming will be prioritized when encountering benthic or pelagic exotic fauna. High resolution M3 mapping and photogrammetry not anticipated at this location but will be conducted if seafloor morphology is of interest.

2024-07-20T21:26:22.999

NotApplicable

2024-07-21T10:43:30.731

This 12-hour dive will explore the northern flank of the unnamed and unexplored seamount designated internally as “T06”. It is likely the first ever ROV investigation of this massive feature. Our dive will launch to 1,030m depth and begin a 2km track, ascending a north-facing slope with two shelves up to the summit plateau at about 230m. The track begins by a short travers of a flat patch and then up to the first shelf to about 600m depth. After the shelf we continue up to another shelf at about 300m, before a easrward leaning diagonal rise to the tabletop at about 230m. Once at tabletop depth, we will venture south onto the plateau for the final stretch of the dive. Recovery from 230m. Filming will be prioritized when encountering benthic or pelagic exotic fauna. High resolution M3 mapping and photogrammetry not anticipated at this location but will be conducted if seafloor morphology is of interest.

2024-07-21T23:35:09

NotApplicable

2024-07-22T11:45:00.875

This 12-hour dive will explore the northeastern flank of the platform at the base of the summit of unnamed and unexplored seamount designated internally as “T06”. It is likely the first ever ROV investigation of this massive feature. Our dive will launch to 2,100m depth and begin a 2km track, first traversing a short flat patch and then ascending a northeast-facing slope, tracking upwards between two channels, up to a small pinnacle followed by the shelf at about 1,200m. Recovery from 1,200m. Filming will be prioritized when encountering benthic or pelagic exotic fauna. High resolution M3 mapping and photogrammetry not anticipated at this location but will be conducted if seafloor morphology is of interest.

2024-07-23T00:05:57.893

NotApplicable

2024-07-23T19:46:15.783

This 18 to 20 hour dive will explore the summit of the unnamed and unexplored seamount designated internally as “T07”. It is likely the first ever ROV investigation of this massive feature. Our dive will launch to 1,100m depth and begin a 6km track, first ascending a rocky knoll to 850m and then midwater flying about 1.5km at that depth BRG 070 to the main summit buttress, shaped like a three-blade shuriken - hence the name. The track then follows the ridgeline to a secondary, isolated summit, before reaching the highest point at 620m for recovery. Filming will be prioritized when encountering benthic or pelagic charismatic fauna. Sampling of “firsts” encouraged.

2024-07-24T21:48:41.642

NotApplicable

2024-07-25T22:19:09.656

This 24 hour dive will explore the northern slope of the informally named “Dragon’s Back Ridge” from a depth of 3,000m to the ridge line at 1,200m. It is likely the first ever ROV investigation of this massive feature. The dive track follows an elongated rise, climbing a diagonal line up to a small knoll at 2200m before switching back through a gully and onto the face of the ridge. The ascent continues to the ridge line and turns east at 1220m on the narrow and exposed ridge. Priorities: Reaching the ridge line and exploring a couple hundred meters of it. Filming will be prioritized when encountering benthic or pelagic charismatic fauna. Sampling of “firsts” encouraged.

2024-07-26T06:38:00.582

NotApplicable

2024-07-26T19:57:52.411

This 12 hour dive will explore a newly discovered and mapped seamount, cataloged as KW-14176. We will start the dive at 1,700m depth, about 2km north of the summit. Our track climbs up a steep bank onto a narrow ridge line which connects to the main summit plateau through a series of rises and turns. The last 500m of the track are on the flat summit, end up on top of the highest point on a small knoll. Recovery from 987m. Filming will be prioritized when encountering benthic or pelagic charismatic fauna. Sampling of “firsts” encouraged.

2024-07-28T09:14:56.668

NotApplicable

2024-07-29T03:52:06.572

This 18 hour dive will explore a newly mapped seamount, designated internally as T08. We will start the dive at 600m depth, about 5km east of the summit. Our track climbs up a few rocky features onto a narrow ridge line which connects to the main summit plateau through a moderate slope. The last 500m of the track are on the flat summit. Recovery from 300m. Priorities: M3 and photogrammetry of a coral garden habitat. Filming will be prioritized when encountering benthic or pelagic charismatic fauna. Sampling of “firsts” encouraged.

2024-07-30T00:15:22.883

NotApplicable

2024-07-30T17:21:39.833

This 16 hour dive will explore a newly mapped seamount, designated internally as T09. We begin at 1,577m and navigate a ridge line, gradually ascending rocky formations westwards, to a horseshoe-shaped rise around 1,300m, proceeding up a slope to a volcanic cone with our final waypoint in a crater at 720m.

2024-07-31T16:25:37.558

NotApplicable

2024-08-01T03:53:02.198

This 12 hour dive will explore a newly mapped seamount, designated internally as T12. We begin at 900m and navigate our way up to a pinnacle followed by a gradually ascending slope westwards, onto the summit platform where we will explore linear rocky features. The area is characterized by volcanic cones interspersed with wide slump scars. Upon reaching the top platform, our track will be adapted to the features we encounter, to explore more rich microhabitats, within the existing time and weather constraints.This 12 hour dive will explore a newly mapped seamount, designated internally as T12. We begin at 900m and navigate our way up to a pinnacle followed by a gradually ascending slope westwards, onto the summit platform where we will explore linear rocky features. The area is characterized by volcanic cones interspersed with wide slump scars. Upon reaching the top platform, our track will be adapted to the features we encounter, to explore more rich microhabitats, within the existing time and weather constraints.This 12 hour dive will explore a newly mapped seamount, designated internally as T12. We begin at 900m and navigate our way up to a pinnacle followed by a gradually ascending slope westwards, onto the summit platform where we will explore linear rocky features. The area is characterized by volcanic cones interspersed with wide slump scars. Upon reaching the top platform, our track will be adapted to the features we encounter, to explore more rich microhabitats, within the existing time and weather constraints.This 12 hour dive will explore a newly mapped seamount, designated internally as T12. We begin at 900m and navigate our way up to a pinnacle followed by a gradually ascending slope westwards, onto the summit platform where we will explore linear rocky features. The area is characterized by volcanic cones interspersed with wide slump scars. Upon reaching the top platform, our track will be adapted to the features we encounter, to explore more rich microhabitats, within the existing time and weather constraints.

2024-08-02T21:51:13.586

NotApplicable

2024-08-03T16:02:27.545

During this 18 hour dive we will revisit T08 seamount, however this time we will explore a newly mapped ridge extending southeast from the summit platform. We begin at 1,700m and navigate our way up a narrow ridge line, traversing a series of pinnacles and ledges. Upon reaching the summit platform at roughly 1,000m, we will ascend the final pinnacle to 9,00m if time allows. We expect steep and rocky terrain.

2024-08-04T07:29:00.974

NotApplicable

2024-08-04T15:57:51.832

During this 9 hour dive we will explore T11 guyot, ascending along a ridge line on the northwestern flank. We start at 983m and ascend a moderate slope to a ledge at 750m, followed by a steeper climb to a lip at 350m and then on to the summit platform at 250m.

2024-08-04T18:56:21.515

NotApplicable

2024-08-05T11:06:23.353

During this 16 hour dive we will explore a ridge extending north from T11 guyot, dropping in at 3,060m and ascending a jagged ridge line towards the south-southeast, following a series of banks, ledges and local pinnacles. Our final waypoint will be at 2,000m on top of a steep, prominent knoll.