The Global Foundation For Ocean Exploration Inc

Programs: Advancement of deep submergence vehicles, equipment and telepresence systems including the design, engineering and development of sampling capabilities for government owned underwater robots; conducted major ocean exploration expeditions; trained film makers and engineers. Gfoe provided technical expertise in the area of telepresence-enabled ocean exploration cruises aboard the noaa ship okeanos explorer to collect critical baseline information to meet noaa science and management needs in oers campaign to address pacific monument science, technology, and ocean needs (capstone). Exploration in 2017 included areas of the pacific remote islands marine national monument, hawaii, and the gulf of mexico, leading to the discoveries of new species and important resources. Gfoe data managers were responsible for recording, organizing, and transferring to shore the 15 terabytes of data gathered during each expedition. Gfoe continues to ensure that ocean exploration expeditions are conducted by well-trained teams; document, improve, and expand ocean exploration technologies and procedures; expand the ocean exploration workforce by training the next generation of ocean exploration engineers, data and telepresence experts; and promote the activities and programs of noaa oer to a global audience through telepresence. Capitalized equipment costing $735,979 was acquired as part of this program.

gfoe provided engineering and technical operations for a multi-partner research project assessing geophysical and geochemical activity in yellowstone lake. Provided design, engineering, fabrication and testing of underwater equipment. Gfoe was technical lead during the 2017 field season and retrieved lake bottom sensors while allowing scientists to investigate underwater volcanos/hydrothermal vents.

gfoe continued the integration of the gfoe state-of-the-art satellite communication system and upgrade of the network and data management systems onboard the noaa ship okeanos explorer.