NOAA Live! Ship to Shores in NOAA's Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary

a diver works with scientific equpment on a baren sea floor
NOAA diver Jason Leonard uses a closed circuit rebreather system to recover an acoustic trap at Lalo (French Frigate Shoals) Photo: NOAA

From August 11 through September 4, our NOAA team will be at sea as part of the Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) research expedition in Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary.

The public is invited to join NOAA Live! From the NOAA Research Ship Oscar Elton Sette as we explore the beauty, diversity, and importance of one of the largest marine protected areas in the world.

Initiated in 2000, RAMP focuses its annual efforts on the rapid mapping and ecological evaluation of shallow coral reef environments throughout Papahānaumokuākea. While the program remains dedicated to its primary long-term monitoring objectives, it consistently integrates emerging research and technological innovations to enhance our understanding of these vital marine ecosystems.

a group of people pose for a photo in front of a white ship with a NOAA logo
RAMP Team from 2025 taking off from Honolulu, Ford Island on the Oscar Elton Sette. Photo credit: Nick Zachar/NOAA
People on the bow of a ship at sea at sunset. A rocky island rises out of the sea in the background
2026 RAMP Team during transit to Nihoa on the Oscar Elton Sette. Photo credit: Nick Zachar/NOAA

Register to an upcoming NOAA Live! Session

August 31: 10 to 10:45 a.m. HST → Register

September 3: 10 to 10:45 a.m. HST → Register

Check back as dates and times are subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary encompasses 582,570 square miles of Pacific Ocean waters surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The sanctuary protects nationally significant natural, cultural, and historical resources while supporting research, community engagement, education, and stewardship.