The Ocean Exploration Trust’s E/V Nautilus has set sail on a 20-day expedition to explore some of the least-known deep-sea habitats around the Hawaiian Islands.
Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus 2026 field season. Image courtesy of Ocean Exploration Trust
Running from 22 September to 12 October, the expedition will investigate previously unsurveyed areas of seafloor, including unexplored ridges and seamounts in the eastern part of Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary and abyssal habitats southwest of the Main Hawaiian Islands.
Although Hawaiʻi’s nearshore waters have been relatively well studied, many areas farther offshore have never been surveyed using modern technology. Scientists aboard Nautilus will use seafloor mapping equipment and remotely operated vehicles to investigate habitats at depths of up to 6,000 metres.
The team will collect high-resolution imagery and environmental data to learn more about deep-sea biodiversity, geology and habitats. A new environmental DNA sampler will also collect traces of DNA from seawater, while a low-light camera system will help researchers study deep-sea corals.
And we can follow along from home. Live footage from the ROV dives and mapping operations will be streamed throughout the expedition, giving viewers the chance to watch discoveries from the deep as they happen.
Jane’s lifelong love for the ocean began in childhood and has shaped the course of her life and career. After learning to dive in 1991, she spent much of the '90s teaching scuba and working on marine conservation projects in the Philippines and Borneo. A chance encounter with a film camera on a dive trip to Egypt in 2001 ignited a passion for underwater photography, inspiring her to leave the corporate world and pursue a full-time career in dive travel and photojournalism.
Since then, her work has been published in a wide range of national and international magazines, books, and newspapers. She has filmed underwater for the BBC, judged major photography competitions, and received numerous accolades—including the prestigious Plongeur d'Or at the Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous-Marine. In 2009, Jane became a freelance photojournalist, and in 2011 completed a BA (Hons) in Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth University, where she now works as a Dive Safety Officer.
Based in Cornwall, Jane dives locally year-round and is passionate about showcasing the rich marine life found in UK waters. As a proud ambassador for Dynamic Nord and Fathoms Free, she actively supports marine conservation initiatives and advocates for ocean protection through her storytelling.
In her newest role with Scubaverse, Jane combines her love of travel, diving, and storytelling—sharing experiences from around the world to inspire others to explore, protect, and connect with the underwater world.
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