Venturing into a new age of ocean odyssey

How inappropriate to call this planet Earth, when clearly it is Ocean.

Arthur C. Clarke

Over 70% of the Earth’s surface is water. The oceans that surround us today – and for much of the planet’s 4.6-billion-year history – comprise our planet’s largest ecosystem, showcasing an infinitely rich spectrum of marine life.

Our oceans’ survival is in jeopardy

Oceans do much more than simply provide a home for giant mammals and microorganisms to live side by side. Their natural forces drive weather systems, regulate land temperatures and ensure our survival.

Despite the oceans’ omnipresence, more than 80% remains completely unmapped and unexplored. We need to know more.

Plymouth has a rich tradition of exploration and discovery. We want to develop innovative new ways of understanding our world. Sometimes, this means taking inspiration from the past to inform our future.

Voyage to highlight the possibilities of autonomous ocean science

If successful, the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) will be one of the first self-navigating, full-sized vessels to cross the Atlantic and opens the door on a new era of autonomous research ships.

Professor Kevin Jones, Executive Dean of Science and Engineering at the University, said:

“Through vessels such as the Mayflower Autonomous Ship and our very own CETUS, the University is at the forefront of using unmanned vessels for cutting-edge ocean science. This technology has the undoubted potential to be a game changer in the field, enabling us to capture data which can transform our understanding of the oceans and the impact climate change and other factors are having on them.”

The research element of the voyage will focus on core areas including marine mammal detection, marine plastics and ocean chemistry.