Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Gaia-Blu

The Schmidt Ocean Institute's deep-sea research vessel Falkor is making its way back to shore following an extensive month-long mission testing the innovative remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Subastian. This ambitious 25-day journey took place in the waters surrounding Guam and included approximately 100 hours dedicated to underwater exploration, reaching depths of up to 4,500 meters. Carlie Weiner, the Institute's communications manager, shared with KUAM News, "We'll be back in November for our science verification cruise and for our first research cruise in the Mariana Back Arc in late-November, and that's going to be a repeat visit for us; we were here last year." The upcoming November cruise will focus on three hydrothermal vents that the Falkor discovered during its previous visit. With the newly tested ROV Subastian onboard, the scientific team anticipates gaining deeper insight into the biology and ecosystems surrounding these intriguing vents. All data collected during this expedition will be made publicly available, benefiting scientists and ocean enthusiasts worldwide.

On August 1, 2013, the innovative research vessel 'Falcor' departed from its dock in San Francisco, making headlines as it sets sail on a mission to explore the enigmatic depths of the Pacific Ocean. This remarkable vessel, valued at $60 million and funded by Google executive Eric Schmidt, is dedicated to investigating a significant marine phenomenon known as a 'dead zone.' This area, located off the coast of Vancouver Island, experiences a seasonal depletion of oxygen, leading to the extinction of marine life. Equipped with an advanced unmanned submarine, the Falcor aims to unveil the mysteries surrounding this ecological challenge. The initiative is supported by the Schmidt Ocean Science Institute, an organization co-founded by Schmidt and his wife, Wendy. Stay tuned as this pioneering expedition reveals critical insights into our oceans' health.

On November 6, 2012, the Schmidt Ocean Institute's state-of-the-art research vessel, "Falkor", previously known as the German ship "Seefalke", departed from the Port of Pascagoula for a pivotal month-long mission. This expedition involves a team of 12 scientists from seven different institutions who are heading to investigate the aftermath of the infamous "Deepwater Horizon" oil spill. Equipped with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), the Falkor is set to dive up to 10,000 feet underwater, where it will analyze sediment and coral specimens. The objective is to assess the effects of oil contamination in deep ocean ecosystems and to enhance understanding of oil's behavior and impacts post-release. Collaboration is key, as the Falkor's research will complement the efforts of the research vessel "Pelican", scheduled to launch from Louisiana on November 10. This extensive mission is backed by BP's Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, which is funding a remarkable $110 million worth of eight studies over three years, including this particular study led by Raymond Highsmith from the University of Mississippi, costing around $11 million. The Ecosystem Impacts of Oil and Gas Inputs to the Gulf (ECOGIG) team plans to investigate oil deposits lying beneath layers of sediment on the Gulf floor.