OceanXplorer is a one-stop shop for marine research

AFP reported from OceanXplorer, a retrofitted research vessel owned by the nonprofit OceanX, which pairs advanced onboard laboratories, submersibles and media production to support rotating teams of scientists studying seamounts off Indonesia.

OceanXplorer was visited by AFP while the vessel studied seamounts off Indonesia. The ship is owned by the nonprofit OceanX, which was founded by Ray Dalio and his son Mark. Converted from a former oil exploration vessel, it was retrofitted with laboratories, submersibles and aerial capability to support scientific work and media production. The ship has been at sea almost continuously since 2021 and regularly hosts rotating teams of local and international researchers. Key details: - Ownership and operations: OceanXplorer is operated by OceanX, founded by Ray Dalio and his son Mark, and has been deployed on missions since 2021. - Onboard equipment: The vessel carries two submersibles (including one fitted with 8K cameras and a science submersible that can sample to 1,000 metres), a remotely operated vehicle rated to 6,000 metres, laboratories for genetic sequencing, helicopters, mapping radar, bongo nets and a CTD instrument. - eDNA and analysis: The ship can run a full environmental DNA (eDNA) workflow on board, from sampling to bioinformatic analysis, and hosts specialists working on metagenomic sequencing and related analyses. - Science teams and projects: Missions bring in local government and research institutions and specialists studying cetaceans, genetics, microbes in deep plastic, and ancient fishes such as the coelacanth. - Media and outreach: OceanX engaged designers to make the ship film-friendly, including a mission control set-up and custom lighting, and pairs scientific work with high-end media output to reach a broad audience. - Funding and outputs: OceanX’s 2024 US tax filing reported over $44 million in expenses, with much funding from the Dalio family; OceanXplorer missions have contributed dozens of scientific papers and captured rare footage such as groups of coelacanths and newly observed brine pools. Summary: OceanXplorer combines scientific infrastructure and media capability on a single platform to support fieldwork, onboard analysis and public-facing storytelling. It operates with rotating teams that include local partners and has produced scientific publications and rare visual records. Undetermined at this time.