The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Ocean Research Project (ORP). The parties will work together to support the global effort in pursuit of mapping the world’s ocean floor, especially in polar regions through ORP’s upcoming expedition, GO-MARIE.
The GO-MARIE (Glacier-Oceans Mapping & Research Interdisciplinary Effort) program is a 2022 expedition which is also the motivation for the maiden voyage of the organization’s flagship, the RV Marie Tharp. A 22m Bruce Roberts steel schooner, the vessel is custom-built to navigate uncharted polar territory. There will be a base crew of ten including rotating ocean science experts joining legs of the voyage.
ORP is a non-profit organisation committed to eco-friendly ocean discovery. The organisation identifies expeditions which enable small, core teams of researchers to gather critical data from remote and sensitive areas worldwide – this information will better enable us to make decisive factors impacting the ocean’s health.