NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

05/06/2026

04/23/2026

04/08/2026

Did you know that NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) manages and operates NOAA's fleet of 10 specialized environmental data-collecting aircraft and 15 research and survey ships — including NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer?

The experience, expertise, and professionalism of the NOAA Corps officers and civilian professional mariners who operate Okeanos Explorer are fundamental to the mission of ocean exploration and the success of every expedition.

In celebration of , learn more about OMAO and its fleet of science-dedicated ships and aircraft here: https://www.omao.noaa.gov/NOAAFleetWeek

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

02/12/2026

A moment worth recognizing

Recently aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, we had the honor of recognizing a significant milestone in leadership and service with a pinning-on ceremony for Commander Friedlander and Commander Reed, making their promotion from Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) to Commander (CDR).

Commander Cherisa Friedlander serves as the ship's Executive Officer (XO) and has been aboard the Okeanos Explorer for a little over a year. She began her NOAA Corps career in 2012 aboard NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker, a fisheries research vessel homeported in San Diego, California. Her career has spanned diverse leadership and operational roles, including serving as Operations Officer at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Station Chief at the Atmospheric Research Observatory at the South Pole, and Operations Officer aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow, a fisheries survey vessel homeported in Newport, Rhode Island.

Most recently, Commander Friendlander served in Washington, D.C. as a Flag Aide to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. Today she brings a wealth of knowledge, professionalism, and leadership to the Okeanos Explorer.

Commander Michael Reed, a US Public Health Officer (USPHS), serves as the primary medical officer aboard Okeanos Explorer. When operating far from shore-based medical care, the presence of a Public Health Service officer is essential. Commander Reed supports crew health and safety through daily medical care, preventative health measures, and readiness planning, while also providing critical urgent and emergency medical response when needed. His steady presence and expertise help keep the crew healthy, supported, and ready to carry out scientific and operational missions at sea.

Promotion to Commander reflects years of dedication, professionalism, and commitment to federal service. Congratulations to both Commanders on the well-earned achievement. Your leadership continues to strengthen our ship and our mission at sea.

01/23/2026

THE GOLDEN DRAGON

A rite of passage.

Maritime traditions run deep—passed down for generations and shared among mariners across the world. These time-honored milestones mark where you’ve been, what you’ve endured, and the waters you’ve sailed. From Golden Dragons to shellbacks, these titles connect sailors through history, ceremony, and sea lore.

The Golden Dragon, is awarded to mariners who cross the International Date Line for the first time and take part in the ceremony that comes with it.

This past year, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer had the opportunity to cross the International Date Line twice. Once while transiting to map the seafloor of Palau, and again on the journey back to Honolulu, HI.

The International Date Line runs through the mid-Pacific Ocean, roughly following the 180° longitude line from pole to pole, separating one calendar day from the next. Cross it heading west and it’s suddenly tomorrow. Cross it heading east and you’ve gone back in time—making every mariner who crosses it an official time traveler.

The Golden Dragon joins a long list of maritime rites of passage:

**Shellbacks earn their title by crossing the Equator

**Mossbacks have sailed north of the Arctic Circle

**Blue Noses have crossed the Arctic Circle (often in harsh conditions)

**Frozen Stiffs have crossed the Antarctic Circle, braving the coldest seas on Earth

**Order of the Magellan have circumnavigated across the world

These are a few of the long list of maritime rites of passage. Each one tells a story. Each one represents a moment where mariners tested themselves against the ocean and earned their place in its long history.

For the crew of Okeanos Explorer, this voyage added another proud tradition to that legacy.

Golden Dragons earned. Traditions honored. Another unforgettable chapter written at sea. Stay tuned to see what rite of passage the Okeanos Explorer collects next.

12/03/2025

After a fourteen-day transit from Honolulu, Hawai‘i, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer has officially arrived in Ketchikan, Alaska for our scheduled five-year dry dock. Throughout the journey, our crew safely navigated sustained seas of 15–20 feet and outran multiple storm cells producing 25–30 foot waves with wind speeds up to 60 knots. Despite the challenging conditions, morale stayed high. We were even treated to a sighting of long-beaked common dolphins and, upon arrival, a warm welcome from Ketchikan’s local resident whale.

Ketchikan, known as Alaska’s “First City” and the “Salmon Capital of the World” sits on the southern tip of the Southeast Alaska Panhandle within the Tongass National Forest. Accessible only by air or boat, this vibrant community is rich in Alaska Native culture, spirited salmon runs, and breathtaking coastal scenery.

Now, you may be wondering what a five-year dry dock actually means. SOLAS - the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea—requires ships like the Okeanos Explorer to undergo two dry dock periods every five years for thorough inspection, repair, and maintenance of essential systems. This doesn’t mean the Okeanos will be in the yard for five years—rather, it ensures we meet international safety standards and keep the ship in top condition. By lifting the vessel out of the water, our team can access and service components that are otherwise unreachable, helping ensure the Okeanos Explorer remains safe, reliable, and mission-ready for the years ahead.

Once dry dock is complete in March, we’ll head back to Honolulu, Hawai‘i to prepare for another busy season in the South Pacific Ocean. Stay tuned for the adventures ahead!

Drone photo credit: Commander Elizabeth Mackie

11/22/2025

This season, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer had the incredible opportunity to transit over and map the seafloor above the Challenger Deep! The Challenger Deep—located in the western Pacific Ocean—is the deepest known point in Earth’s ocean, reaching approximately 10,935 meters (35,876 feet). To put that into perspective, it’s even taller than Mt. Everest, which stands at 8,848 meters (29,032 feet). Wild, right? The site is named after HMS Challenger, whose crew first measured the trench’s extreme depths in 1875.

During our transit, the deepest point Okeanos Explorer mapped was 10,930 meters, recorded at 0502 AM. We celebrated the moment by turning on the fire pump, pulling water from the Challenger Deep itself, and letting it flow across the deck—literally running through the waters of the deepest known place on Earth.

According to NOAA, as of June 2025, only 27.3% of the global seafloor has been mapped. Can you imagine how much is still waiting to be explored? Who knows—there may be places even deeper out there. And the Okeanos Explorer is excited to help take on the challenge.

11/19/2025

We’re proud to recognize Ensign Jenna Katrina, who is joining us from the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown for our cruise to Alaska, for earning her Officer of the Deck (OOD) letter. The OOD qualification is a significant achievement — it requires extensive training to ensure an officer can safely stand their own watch, a deep understanding of the ship’s operations, completion of a comprehensive qualification workbook, and a minimum of 120 days standing watch at sea.

Ensign Katrina’s final check-off was a ship-wide scavenger hunt, completed while the ship experienced 15-foot seas! The Okeanos Explorer is known for its unique experiences that ensure everyone who is celebrating life achievements is celebrated properly. With this qualification, she is authorized to stand her own watch and drive the ship under the direction of the Commanding Officer. We are thrilled to have her anytime she joins our crew.

Congratulations Ensign Jenna Katrina.

10/01/2025

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