Led by Dr. Amy Baco-Taylor from Florida State University, the science team will aim to gain insight into central and western Pacific (CWP) seamount lifeforms and distribution, while examining the role of Necker Ridge as a stepping-stone (or blockade) to other parts of the Pacific. They will gather imagery and samples of the seafloor biology while exploring Necker Ridge and nearby structures of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and the CWP.

Surveys will be used to assess the fauna of three sets of features: the seamounts in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Necker Ridge, and seamounts of the Mid-Pacific Mountains. The surveys will be done at the same depths on each feature, and target similar geological areas. Using Remotely Operated Vehicle SuBastian, the team will gather biological samples from each feature, as well as other environmental data such as CTD measurements, water samples, current information, substrate facts (such as substrate type, slope and rugosity) and video. More information on the expedition website.

ROV SuBastian Dive 291 – MPM3
Date: 9/3/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Mid-Pacific Mountain #3
Estimated maximum depth: 3500m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on MPM3 (Mid-Pacific Mountain) to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.

ROV SuBastian Dive 292 – MPM3
Date: 9/4/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Mid-Pacific Mountain #3
Estimated maximum depth: 3500m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on MPM3 (Mid-Pacific Mountain) to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.

ROV SuBastian Dive 293 (Part One) – MPM6
Date: 9/6/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Mid-Pacific Mountain #6
Estimated maximum depth: 3500m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on MPM6 (Mid-Pacific Mountain) to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.

ROV SuBastian Dive 294 (Part Two) – MPM6
Date: 9/7/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Mid-Pacific Mountain #6
Estimated maximum depth: 2500m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on MPM6 (Mid-Pacific Mountain) to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.

ROV SuBastian Dive 295 (Part One) – MPM5
Date: 9/8/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Mid-Pacific Mountain #5
Estimated maximum depth: 3000m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on MPM5 (Mid-Pacific Mountain) to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.

ROV SuBastian Dive 295 (Part Two) – MPM5
Date: 9/8/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Mid-Pacific Mountain #5
Estimated maximum depth: 3000m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on MPM5 (Mid-Pacific Mountain) to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.

ROV SuBastian Dive 295 (Part Three) – MPM5 
Date: 9/9/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Mid-Pacific Mountain #5
Estimated maximum depth: 3000m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on MPM5 (Mid-Pacific Mountain) to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.

ROV SuBastian Dive 296 (Part One) – MPM5
Date: 9/9/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Mid-Pacific Mountain #5
Estimated maximum depth: 1600m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on MPM5 (Mid-Pacific Mountain) to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.

ROV SuBastian Dive 296 (Part Two) – MPM5
Date: 9/9/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Mid-Pacific Mountain #5
Estimated maximum depth: 1600m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on MPM5 (Mid-Pacific Mountain) to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.

ROV SuBastian Dive 297 – Necker Ridge (South)
Date: 9/11/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Necker Ridge (South)
Estimated maximum depth: 3000 – 3500m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on Necker Ridge to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.

ROV SuBastian Dive 298 – Necker Ridge (South, Dive Site 2)
Date: 9/12/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Necker Ridge (South Dive Site 2)
Estimated maximum depth: 2000 – 1500m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on Necker Ridge to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.

ROV SuBastian Dive 298 (Part 2) – Necker Ridge (South, Dive Site 2)
Date: 9/12/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Necker Ridge (North Dive Site 1)
Estimated maximum depth: 1500 – 2000m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on Necker Ridge to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.

ROV SuBastian Dive 299 – Necker Ridge (North, Dive Site 1)
Date: 9/13/2019
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, Necker Ridge (North Dive Site 1)
Estimated maximum depth: 2000m
Work Completed: Exploratory dive on Necker Ridge to survey deep-sea coral communities. The primary focus of the dive was video transects along a depth contour with a fixed camera angle. The team will also be sampling corals for genetics and paleo studies while also taking water samples.