Legacy of Exploration
WHOI has one of the longest continuous records of ocean-going scientific research using ships, vehicles, and instruments and in developing new methods to gather data.
History of Alvin
The dream of building a manned deep ocean research submersible first started to move toward reality on February 29, 1956.
50 Years of the WHOI Buoy Group
On Dec. 11, 1960, a group of scientists, engineers, and technicians from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution set a doughnut-shaped buoy into the waters off Bermuda. It marked the beginning of the WHOI Buoy Group—and a new era in physical oceanography.
Oil in the Ocean
A history of WHOI's oil spill research around the world.
History of WHOI Ships
WHOI's research vessels through the years.
AUV ABE
The Autonomous Benthic Explorer, ABE, was lost at sea during a research cruise in March 2010 off the coast of Chile.
R/V Knorr
After 44 years and nearly 1.4 million miles, R/V Knorr retired in December 2014 from the U.S. oceanographic fleet.
HROV Nereus
HROV Nereus was lost at sea while exploring the Kermadec Trench at ~10,000 meters during a May 2014 research cruise.
R/V Oceanus
After 36 years and nearly 500 research cruises, R/V Oceanus retired from WHOI in November 2011 and transferred to Oregon State University.