As part of Nekton’s global ocean exploration of the deep ocean, the first mission - the XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey - saw the deployment of two motherships, two submersibles, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), a team of technical divers and a dozen research tools, including visual data capture and ocean mapping technology and sampling equipment. The mission was to investigate the physical, chemical and biological indicators to assess the function, health and resilience of the deep ocean. The findings will contribute to the delivery of the XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey.
A unique alliance of forty partners across science, technology, conservation, education and media came together to participate in the Mission supplying a wide range of expertise and equipment. The unprecedented success of the first Mission has laid the foundations for Nekton’s next voyage in 2018 to the Mediterranean Sea, considered to be one of the world’s leading biodiversity hotspots. It is also planning a global voyage of scientific exploration, undertaking a series of missions to study and characterise the biogeographic regions of the Bathyal Zone (200m to 2,000m) which is home to the greatest diversity of marine species found anywhere in the ocean.
Teledyne Marine was a key mission partner supplying the Teledyne Bowtech
subsea vision equipment which was deployed on the submersibles and operated at depths to 300 meters. Their partnership was one of a number of influential organisations and ocean operators who participated in the Mission, including the University of Oxford, Google Expeditions, UNESCO, Triton Submarines, Global Underwater Explorers and Project Baseline.
NEKTON’S MISSION ONE BY NUMBERS
- 1 x Mission in North West Atlantic to deliver the XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey
- 1 x Deepest underwater live radio show ever broadcast with Sirius XM
- 1 x ROV, 1,000m depth operating capability
- 2 x Motherships: research vessel, CCGC Hudson; and sub deployment ship, Baseline Explorer
- 2 x Triton submersibles, 300m depth operating capability
- 3 x Google Expeditions created for classroom learning
- 7 x 360° video content for own digital channels and digital partners
- 13 x video reports for own digital channels and media
- 13 x Science institutes and organisations supporting the research programme
- 40 x Mission partners in total
- 400 Submarine hours underwater
- 450+ Sampling deployments
- 750M+ Audience reach through media coverage (from July 2016 to January 2017)
Teledyne Marine Camera and Light on the Nekton Deep Sea Mission
Teledyne Bowtech’s
Surveyor-HD-Pro cameras were deployed on the submersibles used during the field research phase of the Mission. The Surveyor-HD-Pro is an
ultra wide angle HD colour zoom camera with water corrected optics. It is a unique combination of widest angle vision and compact engineering to produce an extremely dynamic and well engineered system. Excellent images can be obtained through the fused silica hemispherical window, some of which can be seen as part of the Nekton and Teledyne Marine collaboration video detailing this Mission.
Video surveying of unexplored ecosystems down to 300m was principle to Nekton’s research programme. With pressures of up to thirty atmospheres, low temperatures, very low ambient light and rugged terrain often accompanied by fast currents, the environment presents extremely harsh operational challenges. To succeed in this inhospitable setting, Nekton required the most advanced and highly robust systems available to gather visual data.
The
Surveyor-HD-Pro made up the mobile surveying camera and imaging system that operated on a pan/tilt head with integrated controls hardwired to the submersibles. The
light and
laser system, also supplied, ensured the ability to document and accurately measure a large variety of species, some of which are believed to be undescribed by science. The
Teledyne Bowtech system was a crucial factor to the success of the mission as it enabled Nekton to capture critical scientific data in very low light environments with thirty atmospheres of pressure.
Nekton’s collaboration with Teledyne Marine
OLIVER STEEDS - Founder and Mission Director of Nekton.
“Teledyne Bowtech was an essential technology and subsea imaging partner who were instrumental in the Mission’s success. The imaging systems operated with remarkable levels of low-light image acquisition whilst maintaining pin-sharp focus and impressive zoom capability.”
“Teledyne Marine also supported our team through the inevitable challenges that arise from operating in one of the most hostile frontiers on our planet. Solutions at this level are found in partnership and Teledyne Marine provided extraordinary support to ensure that we maintained productivity throughout the Mission.”
“We look forward to a long and evolving partnership with Teledyne Marine and continuing to work together to explore and research the deep ocean to have the greatest possible impact on marine protection and stewardship.”
Learn about Nekton's mission and how Teledyne Marine plays a crucial part >
