Ocean Exploration Trust

What Ocean Exploration Trust does

Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) is a US-based private nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Robert Ballard that operates the 224-foot exploration vessel E/V Nautilus to conduct deep-sea exploration across the Pacific Ocean. The organization runs expedition-based missions deploying a multi-vehicle platform that includes KONGSBERG EM304 MKII multibeam sonar (capable of mapping to 11,000 meters), ROVs Hercules and Little Hercules (abyssal depths below 4,500 meters), ROV Atalanta towsled, AUVs Mesobot and Orpheus, USV DriX, plus Deep Autonomous Profiler and Hadal Water Column Profiler landers. A satellite-enabled telepresence system broadcasts 24-hour live expedition footage via NautilusLive.org, enabling real-time public engagement, ship-to-shore educational Q&A sessions with classrooms worldwide, and remote scientist participation.

OET's business model is grant-funded rather than commercially transacted. Primary revenue flows through federal grants from NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI), supplemented by U.S. Office of Naval Research grants, partnership funding from technology vendors (KONGSBERG), academic institutions (URI/GSO, UNH/CCOM, USM, WHOI), and international partner governments (Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands). Vessel operations, crewing, and technical support are managed under a December 2024 partnership with Leeway Marine. OET's customer base splits across four segments: scientific research communities, government agencies and resource managers requiring deep-sea baseline data, K-12 and public educational institutions reached through multilingual STEAM resources, and international Pacific Island nations supporting marine spatial planning for their EEZs.

The organization has mapped approximately 1.3 million square kilometers of seafloor over 13 years of operations, contributing to Seabed 2030 and the US National Strategy for Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization (NOMEC). Recent engagements include the Cook Islands expedition (NA176) which drew 1.3 million+ live stream views and 199 ROV exploration hours, and the 2026 Pacific Mapping Expedition (NA178) which inaugurated the EM304 MKII sonar upgrade. Headcount remains in the 11-50 range, anchored by leadership including founder Dr. Robert Ballard, COO Allison Fundis, Chief Scientist Daniel Wagner, and Mapping Manager Derek Sowers.

Name

Ocean Exploration Trust

Legal name

Ocean Exploration Trust, Inc.

Website

https://nautiluslive.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ocean Exploration Trust is a US-based nonprofit operating the E/V Nautilus research vessel to conduct deep-sea exploration, multibeam sonar mapping, and live telepresence broadcasts across the Pacific, funded by federal grants and partnerships with NOAA, ONR, and Pacific Island governments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ocean Exploration Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms (IMABAIAF), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) & Autonomous Maritime Surface Platforms (IMABAIAE)

Keywords

• Ocean exploration
• Deep-sea mapping
• Marine research
• Seafloor survey
• Scientific telepresence

Headquarters

HQ city

Old Lyme

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Grants and Contracts: Primary funding from NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI), with additional support from Office of Naval Research. These grants fund expedition operations, technology development, and exploration activities.
2. Partnership Funding: Collaborative funding from technology partners (KONGSBERG, Leeway Marine), academic institutions (UNH, URI, WHOI, USM), and international partners for specific expedition objectives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Ocean Exploration Trust operates the E/V Nautilus to conduct deep-sea ocean exploration expeditions using ROVs, AUVs, and multibeam sonar mapping. It delivers real-time telepresence broadcasts via the Nautilus Live platform, hosts ship-to-shore educational interactions, and runs Science & Engineering Internship Programs. Revenue is generated through federal grants, corporate sponsorships, philanthropic donations, and chartering of its exploration technology.

Product overview

Ocean Exploration Trust operates E/V Nautilus as a unified ocean exploration platform combining seafloor mapping, ROV systems, telepresence, and autonomous vehicles. The core offerings include the 224-foot research vessel E/V Nautilus equipped with Kongsberg EM304 multibeam sonar for deep-sea mapping (up to 11,000 meters depth), ROV systems (Hercules, Little Hercules, Atalanta) for deep-sea observation and sampling, autonomous vehicles (DriX, Mesobot, Orpheus) for extended exploration missions, and the Nautilus Live telepresence platform enabling real-time 24-hour worldwide broadcasting of expeditions. Supporting capabilities include the Deep Autonomous Profiler and Hadal Water Column Profiler landers, seafloor mapping operations contributing to Seabed 2030, and education programs including Ship-to-Shore Interactions and the Science & Engineering Internship Program. The organization is led by Dr. Robert Ballard and partners with NOAA Ocean Exploration, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• E/V Nautilus Ocean Exploration Expeditions
• Nautilus Live Telepresence Streaming Platform
• Ship-to-Shore Live Educational Interactions
• Science & Engineering Internship Program
• Chartering of Exploration Technology and Applied Exploration Services Contract-based chartering of E/V Nautilus and its deep-sea technology stack (ROVs, sonar, AUV, telepresence) for partners requiring bespoke deep-sea survey, mapping, or applied exploration campaigns.

Quantifiable outcome

• Doubled mapping efficiency with EM304 MKII, halving survey times
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• KONGSBERG DiscoverycoreTechnology or Integration · 10 June 2026Sonar manufacturer providing EM304 MKII multibeam echo sounder for E/V Nautilus. Three KONGSBERG engineers stationed aboard for real-world testing and refinement of the new seabed mapping technology. Partnership enables E/V Nautilus to serve as unique field platform for advancing ocean mapping capabilities.
• U.S. NavycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Office of Naval Research supporting vessel upgrade and EM304 deployment. OET partners with US service academies to offer training opportunities for US Naval Academy midshipmen and Coast Guard Academy cadets, providing real-world at-sea STEM experience.
• Leeway MarinecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 December 2024Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-based ship owner and operator providing vessel management, crewing, technical support, and operational planning for E/V Nautilus. Leeway Marine is technologically forward-leaning and leads the Royal Canadian Navy's effort to test and evaluate novel maritime technology at sea.
• NOAA Ocean ExplorationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funding partner providing grants via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI). NOAA Ocean Exploration is the only federal program dedicated to exploring the unknown ocean, supporting expeditions aboard E/V Nautilus through OECI to fill gaps in basic understanding of the deep-ocean environment.
• University of New Hampshire Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping (UNH/CCOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal investigator on ONR grant for EM304 installation. Founded in 1999 to develop tools advancing ocean mapping and hydrography, and to train next generation of hydrographers and ocean mappers. OET serves as field platform for hands-on training of early career scientists.
• University of Rhode Island Graduate School of OceanographycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the nation's premier academic oceanographic institutions. Hosts the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI). Educates marine scientists, students, policymakers, and business leaders while developing knowledge for addressing marine challenges.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's leading independent non-profit organization dedicated to ocean research, exploration, and education. OECI partner contributing scientists, engineers, and technology such as AUV Sentry, Mesobot, and eDNA samplers to Nautilus expeditions.
• University of Southern MississippicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic, student-centered, doctoral-granting research university serving Mississippi, the nation, and the world. OECI partner supporting ocean exploration research and education.
• Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-institutional partnership hosted by URI in partnership with UNH, USM, WHOI, and Ocean Exploration Trust. Mission to explore, map, and characterize the nation's vast ocean territory, develop new technologies, and engage future generations of ocean scientists and engineers.
• Cook Islands GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for deep-sea exploration expeditions in Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone. Data collected supports Marae Moana marine managed area spanning entire Cook Islands EEZ. Expedition developed in response to request for US government support with deep-sea science expertise.
• Cook Islands Seabed Minerals AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partnered on Cook Islands expeditions to collect deep-sea data supporting understanding of seabed environments and natural and mineral resources throughout the region.
• Republic of the Marshall IslandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtoll-based country with over 1,200 islands surrounded by 2.13 million square kilometers of ocean. OET expeditions support Marshall Islands Marine Spatial Planning process and long-standing US-Marshall Islands collaborations on protecting fisheries and regional security.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Schmidt Ocean Institute: Operates R/V Falkor (and the new R/V Falkor (too)), a private research vessel running telepresence-enabled deep-sea expeditions, ROV/AUV-based science, and live streaming. Closely comparable to OET in mission, vessel-based delivery model, and public engagement focus.
• MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute): Private non-profit oceanographic institute operating deep-sea ROVs, AUVs, and advanced ocean sensors with emphasis on technology development and telepresence. Highly comparable to OET in non-profit research model, autonomous vehicle deployments, and emphasis on novel ocean technology.
• REV Ocean: Norway-based non-profit operating one of the world's largest research vessels for ocean exploration, mapping, and technology testing. Comparable to OET as a privately funded, vessel-centric ocean exploration platform with global expedition ambitions.
• OceanX: Marine research and media organization operating R/V OceanXplorer with deep-sea ROVs, telepresence, and high-profile public engagement. Comparable to OET in combining science, exploration vessel operations, and broadcast/media-driven outreach.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI): Leading non-profit ocean research institution operating AUV Sentry, Mesobot, Alvin, and the R/V Atlantis. Direct peer in non-profit deep-sea exploration model and an active OET partner contributing autonomous platforms to Nautilus expeditions.

Emerging players

• National Geographic Society - Pristine Seas: Exploration-led conservation program that conducts deep-sea and marine expeditions, often in partnership with research vessels, focused on documentation and policy advocacy. Comparable in exploration mission and partnership-driven expedition model, though primary output is conservation rather than bathymetric data.
• Inkfish Expeditions (formerly Flying Sharks / M/Y Pangaea Oceanographics): Private marine research and exploration operator chartering vessels for deep-sea surveys, ocean science, and documentary productions. Comparable to OET in vessel-based expedition delivery and reliance on partnership/grant funding, though at smaller scale.

Broad incumbents

• Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Large academic oceanographic institution operating multiple research vessels and extensive deep-sea technology programs. Comparable as a deep-sea science platform, though much broader in scope than OET's exploration-and-mapping focus.
• NOAA Ocean Exploration: The US federal program that funds OET and other exploration vessels. While not a direct commercial competitor, it is the closest comparable entity in mandate (unknown-ocean exploration) and serves as OET's primary sponsor and operational anchor.

Regional players

• GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel: European ocean research center operating deep-sea ROVs, AUVs, and research vessels focused on seafloor mapping and marine geology. Comparable in deep-sea mapping mission and autonomous vehicle use, but primarily serves European waters and collaborations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/EVNautilus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/evnautilus
• Facebookfacebook.com/nautiluslive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ocean-exploration-trust
• Instagraminstagram.com/nautiluslive
• TikToktiktok.com/@nautiluslive

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ocean Exploration Trust