Moana Minerals

Key points The vessel is commanded and steered from the bridge by bridge and watchkeeping staff. Bridge staff are experienced and certified to operate a vessel of this size and complexity. Bridge personnel coordinate closely with the operational and science teams to complete work quickly,…

Key points The episode covers free fall grabs, the final tool the onboard team uses to test for nodules on the seafloor. The grabs also provide data on nodule density where nodules are present.

Key points The box core recovers an undisturbed sample of the seafloor, allowing analysis of nodules in their original position and collection of macrofauna present on the surface. Sediment beneath the nodules is examined for data on the animals living in the soil, macroscopic organisms and…

Key points Expedition 4 departs Rarotonga for a site 240 nautical miles to the northeast. The team plans to spend four weeks in the area conducting environmental research. Research aims to better understand the distribution and quantities of polymetallic nodules in the area.

Key points The research vessel Anuanua Moana was named and blessed in a ceremony held in the Cook Islands on February 2, 2023.

Key points The Anuanua Moana underwent dry docking in Galveston as part of final preparations before deployment. The docking included installation of a science and research spread for environmental research and baseline data sampling in the Cook Islands. The vessel will be based in Rarotonga…