Researchers rely on sophisticated ships to get a firsthand look at the ocean environment and to carry their tools and instruments into it.
Video
Ocean Encounters: Sailing for Science
From wild weather to pirate encounters, marine crews brave it all to support ocean science. Explore careers in marine operations—and maybe join the adventure!
Video
Conducting airlift and dive operations
Join Captain Peter Collins aboard R/V Tioga at the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory.
Video
360? Video Time-lapse: Cruise aboard the Tioga
Ride on the bow of the Research Vessel Tioga as it departs the dock at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Video
360 Video: Departing Woods Hole
Watch in virtual reality as RV Thomas G. Thompson departs the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution dock in July 2019.
Video
The legacy continues with R/V Neil Armstrong
Meet R/V Neil Armstrong.
Video
R/V Oceanus: The Little Ship that Could
A video farewell to a stalwart ship and its dedicated crew.
Video
Down to the Sea in Ships (and Satellites and Robots…)
Past WHOI President and Director Mark Abbott takes you inside Ocean Science 3.0 and the future of ocean exploration.
Video
R/V Neil Armstrong First Arrival into Woods Hole
In April 2016, the research vessel Neil Armstrong arrived to Woods Hole with a grand welcome, including a brass band, cannon salute, and speeches from WHOI leaders and special guests.
Video
ROV Jason Upgrade Timelapse
In 201516, WHOI completed a major $2.4M upgrade of ROV Jason, boosting its capabilities, payload, and range—the first major rebuild since 2002.
Video
R/V Neil Armstrong: Panama Canal
On November 23, 2015, R/V Neil Armstrong entered the Panama Canal on its way from the Pacific to the Atlantic and eventually to the U.S. East Coast.
Video
R/V Neil Armstrong Entering San Francisco
On November 7, 2015, R/V Neil Armstrong completed its inaugural voyage, sailing into San Francisco Harbor on a sunny Saturday morning.
Video
Farewell to the Knorr
A retrospective video about the iconic ship that found both the Titanic and hydrothermal vents.
Video
Bringing Alvin Back on Board
Come along with Ordinary Seaman Ronnie Whims as he assists in the recovery of submersible Alvin.
Video
Getting Alvin Ready to Dive
Narrated by Jefferson Grau, Alvin pilot-in-training, this video shows the daily dance to deploy Alvin into the ocean.
Video
R/V Neil Armstrong Christening
Watch as astronaut Neil Armstrong's widow, Carol, christens the new research vessel named after him.
Video
Atlantis to Atlantis: Well Done
The science party and crew of R/V Atlantis send a special message to the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis.
Video
WHOI Engineer Turns Author
Hear excerpts from David Fisichella's memoir Seven-Tenths: Love, Piracy, and Science at Sea.
Video
Visit from Chief of Naval Operations
CNO Admiral Gary Roughead visits WHOI.
Video
CTD Deployment and Recovery
The CTD measures salinity, temperature, and pressure at multiple depths along with taking water samples.
Ocean Encounters: Sailing for Science
From wild weather to pirate encounters, marine crews brave it all to support ocean science. Explore careers in marine operations—and maybe join the adventure!
References
Research Vessel Atlantis
One of the most sophisticated research vessels afloat and home to HOV Alvin.
Research Vessel Neil Armstrong
Designed to accommodate a wide range of oceanographic tasks.
Research Vessel Tioga
A small, fast boat designed and outfitted for oceanographic work close to shore.
More topics like this
Acoustics
A strong understanding of how sound behaves in different conditions in the ocean helps scientists answer fundamental questions about the planet, the ocean, and marine life.
Imaging
Underwater imaging continues to advance in technology, allowing research to be conducted in the pressure-filled, extreme environments of the ocean.
Moorings & buoys
An oceanographic mooring consists of a long cable with an anchor at one end, a float at the other, and instruments attached to the line in between or to a float.
Ocean modeling
Ocean models are mathematical models of ocean properties and circulation, which helps us to better understand the ocean's influence on weather and climate.
Ocean observatories
Ocean observatories have suites of instruments and sensors with long-term power supplies and permanent communications links that feed data in real-time.
Underwater vehicles
Oceanographic observing tools has grown to include human-occupied submersibles, remote-controlled vehicles, and autonomous robots.
Oceanus magazine
[ ALL ]In-depth research on Ships
Inside Room 71: WHOI history in seven artifacts
Following the Polar Code
Five marine animals that call shipwrecks home
Go with the flow
Adapt or retreat:
Gift enables new investments in ocean technologies
Students Get Their Sea Legs
Illuminating the Ocean with Sound
WHOI News Room
[ ALL ]Press releases
Innovative partnerships advancing ocean observations
Deepest sediment core collected in the Atlantic Ocean
Get the ocean in your inbox
Fresh discoveries, research, and stories from WHOI — free, every week.