After many months of drydocking in Ensenada Mexico, Nautilus is triumphantly touching water once again. She has a 4 metre extension to her stern to allow for more large and innovative ROV launches in the future and also some small extensions to cabin quarters to the stern. This is a jam packed year for Nautilus, despite having successfully completed surveys and missions even though COVID presented many obstacles, we will continue as planned to do more coastal mapping of the East Coast seaboard. But this year Nautilus will once again return further east to Hawaii. Hawaii has always been of great to Exploration Exploration Trust, not only for its volcanic amount of research potential but it is home to some the most diverse and wonderful flora fauna and rock formations in the entire Pacific Rim.

On the 13th July, mapping of the Santa Barbra seaboard is first on the expedition list, stay tuned for updates and click here for more info on Nautilus’ expedition page.

• Staff are strictly advised to maintain as much distance as possible.
• Masks are compulsory where necessary while also recognising that in some cases they may not be suitable for visibility purposes ie deck operations or thorough engine inspections.
• Enhanced cleaning measures and sanitation have been introduced.
• Although some outreach or educational expeditions are set to continue, under the present crewing guidelines, most will be facilitated ashore to prevent overcrowding.
• Telepresence measures will be prioritised.
• Any expeditions planned will have at most a 2 day transit distance from ports nearby.
• Quarantine measures are put in place. Members leaving and joining will be instructed to self isolate for 14 days.
• No one will be allowed off or onboard if they’ve either contracted the virus or display related symptoms.
• No personal, public or press tours will be allowed.
• On a daily basis, individuals will be monitored and screened with questionnaires and temperature checks.
• Meal times will be scattered to maintain distancing.

This off season, 2019/2020 the crew and engineers on the Nautilus achieved the successful installation of new ABC 8DZC main  engine in Gran Peninsular Shipyard, Ensenada, Mexico, despite the enormous challenges of Covid 19 restrictions.

All now working well and performing excellently during sea trial and shake down cruise. More details to follow…..

Despite the challenging effects of COVID 19, Nautilus has continued to operate its surprisingly busy calendar of projects. Through 28 Aug-Sep 2 after completing our new engine sea trials and commissioning  Nautilus has been mapping  around some key areas along the West Coast of North America. This was not just preparation for future dive exploration but a chance to closely examine natural resources and fisheries to better the scope of The U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone.

We are happy to announce that the current project we are involved with Nautilus in is Wiring The Abyss with Ocean Networks Canada. Mobilisation was last week in Sidney, near Victoria BC This project will be continuing until  the 17th of September.In cooperation with the University of Victoria’s NEPTUNE observatory, a long time partner with Nautilus and Ocean Exploration Trust, we are helping facilitate an 800km fiber optic cable loop connected with instruments at several nodes that accurately measure and upgrade NEPTUNE’s observatory sensors and mapping. This will help to gather real time data on the scientific research needed to make marine interests and education more prevalent to Canadian communities, governments and industry at large.