Press Releases
June 3, 2010
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Tours Guam
Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today announced the visit of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship Okeanos Explorer. Okeanos Explorer, “America’s Ship for Ocean Exploration,” is currently on Guam en route to Indonesia and will join the Baruna Jaya IV to conduct a scientific ocean expedition in uncharted Indonesian waters. The expedition launches a multi-year series of joint expeditions between the U.S. and the Republic of Indonesia.
Commissioned on August 13, 2008 in Seattle, Washington, Okeanos Explorer is the only U.S. government ship assigned to explore the unknown areas of the ocean for the purpose of the advancement of knowledge and discovery. Using Telepresence technology, Okeanos Explorer enables scientists on shore to view live satellite-fed images and discoveries from the seafloor. Okeanos Explorer is operated by the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and civilians and is managed by NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation. Mission equipment is operated by NOAA’s Office of Exploration and Research.
As part of the Okeanos Explorer’s visit to Guam, scientists and crewmembers from the vessel will visit the University of Guam’s Marine Laboratory. Faculty members, researchers and staff at the Marine Laboratory will highlight the important regional work conducted by the institution.
“The arrival of NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer on Guam is significant as this marks the first ever international expedition of the vessel,” Congresswoman Bordallo said today. “The research expeditions between the U.S. and Indonesia will help provide valuable insight on issues such as managing sustainable fisheries and preserving the marine environment and our abundant coral reefs. As Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife, I will continue to support programs such as NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer that provide research and education opportunities about our oceans.”
Craig McLean, Acting Assistant Administrator for NOAA Researcher said:
“The upcoming joint U.S.-Indonesia ocean expedition, in never before explored Indonesian waters, is an important and exciting journey that flows from Congress's support of NOAA's ocean exploration and undersea research programs. Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo and others in the U.S. Congress are great champions of these programs,” said Assistant Administrator McLean. “As the centerpiece of broad U.S.-Indonesia collaboration on science and technology, this expedition will engage scientists, educators and their students, and the general public in better understanding our still mysterious and essential ocean.”