This page contains photos and videos associated with the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research Titanic Collection page, which higlights two expeditions. Click on any image or video to view a larger version and for additional information.
![[video] Titanic 2004](/titanic/media/video/titanic-2004-380.jpg "Breathtaking... Nearly 20 years after first finding the sunken remains of the R.M.S. Titanic, marine explorer Robert Ballard returns.")
![[image] Preparing to Dive](/titanic/media/slideshow03/1-380.jpg "Chief submersible pilot Anatoly Sagalevitch (left), CAPT Craig McLean (NOAA), LTJG Jeremy Weirich (NOAA), Larry Murphy (NPS), and Canadian microbiologist Dr. Roy Cullimore prepare for their dives to the Titanic.")
![[image] Russian Research Vessel](/titanic/media/slideshow03/2-380.jpg "A view of the bow of the Russian Research Vessel Akademik Mstislav Keldysh, which served as the research platform for the expedition to Titanic.")
![[image] Work Boat](/titanic/media/slideshow03/3-380.jpg "The work boat Koresh and her crew are launched over the side of the Keldysh in order to aid in the deployment of the Mir submersibles.")
![[image] O-Ring](/titanic/media/slideshow03/4-380.jpg "A Mir technician manually inspects the O-ring that will keep the scientists from being exposed to the elements at 3800 meters below the sea surface.")
![[image] Anatoly Sagalevitch](/titanic/media/slideshow03/5-380.jpg "Chief submersible pilot Anatoly Sagalevitch climbs into the Mir submersible.")
![[image] MIR 1](/titanic/media/slideshow03/6-380.jpg "MIR 1 is launched over the side of the Keldysh and will soon begin the 2-hour descent to the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean.")
![[image] Completing the Photo Mosaic.](/titanic/media/slideshow03/7-380.jpg "CAPT Craig McLean (left, NOAA), Mir pilot Viktor Nischeta, and Dr. George Bass (Institute for Nautical Archaeology) get ready to descend to the Titanic in Mir 2 to complete the photo mosaic.")
![[image] Examples of 9-hour Expedition.](/titanic/media/slideshow03/8-380.jpg "While preparing for his 9-hour expedition in the submersible, Dr. Roy Cullimore peers out of the porthole on Mir 1 on the way down to Titanic.")
![[image] MIR 1 From MIR 2.](/titanic/media/slideshow03/9-380.jpg "A view of MIR 1 taken from an observer inside MIR 2.")
![[image] The Window Frames.](/titanic/media/slideshow03/10-380.jpg "Window frames belonging to the Titanic. Rusticles are growing on either side of the window frames.")
![[image] The Capt. Smith's Bathtub](/titanic/media/slideshow03/11-380.jpg "A view of the bathtub in Capt. Smith's bathroom. Rusticles are observed growing over most of the pipes and fixtures in the room.")
![[image] Lori Johnston.](/titanic/media/slideshow03/12-380.jpg "Canadian microbiologist Lori Johnston takes a look at the rusticles growing on Titanic through the 5 inch viewing porthole on Mir 1.")
![[image] Rusticles.](/titanic/media/slideshow03/13-380.jpg "Rusticles on the RMS Titanic cover the hanging stern.")
![[image] Deep Sea Systems Technician to Submersible.](/titanic/media/slideshow03/14-380.jpg "While the submersibles are at depth, the technicians in the Navigation Lab must take accurate measurements of their position. This is aided by the use of transponders that are deployed for aid in ranging. The technicians are in constant communication with the submersible.")
![[image] Genya Chernaiev](/titanic/media/slideshow03/15-380.jpg "Russian Mir pilot Genya Chernaiev explains the mechanics of how the submersible descends to 3800 meters.")
![[image] CAPT Craig McLean.](/titanic/media/slideshow03/16-380.jpg "CAPT Craig McLean points to the video being collected at the site of the Titanic.")
![[image] Attaching the Crane.](/titanic/media/slideshow03/17-380.jpg "A Mir swimmer attaches the crane from the Keldysh to the top of the submersible. The crane will then lift the Mir out of the water.")
![[image] Returning Submersibles.](/titanic/media/slideshow03/18-380.jpg "As the Mirs finish their dives for the day, three silhouettes watch from the sixth deck as the submersibles are brought back to the Keldysh.")
![[image] MIR Recovery](/titanic/media/slideshow03/19-380.jpg "As the MIR is recovered, water drips from its hull in preparation for returning to the Keldysh.")
![[image] No Shoes.](/titanic/media/slideshow03/20-380.jpg "CAPT Craig McLean puts his shoes back on after exiting the MIR. Shoes are not worn inside the MIR.")
![[image] Images From Dives.](/titanic/media/slideshow03/21-380.jpg "Chief submersible pilot Dr Anatoly Sagalevitch (right) and Chief Scientist Yuri Bogdanov present the scientists with images from their dives.")
![[image] Dr. Robert Ballard Watching.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/1-380.jpg "From screens in the control van on the deck of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown, Dr. Robert Ballard watches the submerged ROVs maneuver around the Titanic shipwreck on May 31.")
![[image] Swells Hamper Recovery.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/2-380.jpg "Dr. Robert Ballard stands on the deck of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown on May 31 and notes the threatening sky just prior to launching the Hercules ROV (background). Swells approaching 12 feet in height hampered launch and recovery maneuvers.")
![[image] Controlling Movements.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/3-380.jpg "Institute for Exploration (IFE) engineers control the movements of the Argus and Hercules ROVs as they maneuver through the wreckage of the Titanic on May 31. They are working in the control van on the deck of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown.")
![[image] Mark DeRoche.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/4-380.jpg "IFE's Mark DeRoche on the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown relaunches the Hercules ROV late on May 31. Technical difficulties with the ROVs forced their return from the wreckage of the Titanic at 12,500 feet below the surface.")
![[image] Launching the Hercules ROV.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/5-380.jpg "Dr. Robert Ballard (in yellow jacket) helps launch the Hercules ROV over the side of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown on May 30. The ship has reached the site of the Titanic shipwreck and this ROV will begin photographing and mapping the site by nightfall.")
![[image] On the Deck.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/6-380.jpg "Dr. Robert Ballard stands on the deck of of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown on May 30.")
![[image] Titanic Puzzle](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/7-380.jpg "Dr. Robert Ballard completes a handmade puzzle of the Titanic in his stateroom on the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown just before reaching the Titanic wreck site on May 30. Mark Cappitella made the puzzle and presented it to Dr. Ballard before the expedition departed from Boston Harbor on May 27.")
![[image] Bruce Cowden.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/8-380.jpg "NOAA bosun Bruce Cowden stands on the deck of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown on May 30 in the North Atlantic near the site of the Titanic shipwreck. He is leaning on the ROV Argus next to his carved 'good luck' Tiki dolls, which are strapped to the ROV frame.")
![[image] Good Luck Tiki Dolls.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/9-380.jpg "NOAA bosun Bruce Cowden holds one of his carved 'good luck' Tiki dolls, which are usually strapped to the ROV frame.")
![[image] Launching Hercules.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/10-380.jpg "Dr. Robert Ballard helps launch the Hercules ROV over the side of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown on May 30.")
![[image] Launching Hercules II.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/11-380.jpg "Dr. Robert Ballard and the crew launch the Hercules ROV.")
![[image] Tricky Business.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/12-380.jpg "Launching an ROV is tricky business that requires the attention of numerous people.")
![[image] Pre-dive Checkups](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/13-380.jpg "In the control van, which resides on the deck of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown, IFE ROV pilots Mark DeRoche (left) and Dave Lovalvo complete their pre-dive checkups.")
![[image] Craig McLean.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/14-380.jpg "Capt. Craig McLean, director of NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration, stands in front of the Little Herc ROV and discusses NOAA's participation in the 'Return to Titanic' expedition. NOAA contributed the research vessel Ronald H. Brown and its crew to the research effort.")
![[image] Todd Gregory.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/15-380.jpg "IFE engineer Todd Gregory makes final adjustments to the Hercules ROV, which is strapped to the deck of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown. The ship is sailing toward the wreck site of the RMS Titanic. This ROV will take High Definition images of the shipwreck.")
![[image] ROV Control Van.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/16-380.jpg "IFE ROV pilots Dave Wright (left) and Dave Lovalvo work in the ROV control van.")
![[image] Expedition Strategy.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/17-380.jpg "Dr. Robert Ballard stands over plot maps of the Titanic shipreck and discusses expedition strategy with the IFE and NOAA crews in the sonar lab aboard the NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown.")
![[image] Leaving Port.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-1/18-380.jpg "Dr. Robert Ballard and the science team get to work as the ship leaves port on May 27.")
![[image] On Deck.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-2/1-380.jpg "Dr. Robert Ballard (in yellow jacket) stands on the deck of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown on June 1 during the afternoon launch of the Hercules ROV.")
![[image] Finishing Touches.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-2/2-380.jpg "A smiling Dr. Robert Ballard puts the finishing touches on the repaired tether cable between the Hercules (behind him) and Argus ROVs. Minutes later, the ROVs were launched from the deck of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown and began their descent to the Titanic wreckage 12,500 feet below. The descent took about four hours.")
![[image] Relaunching the Argus.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-2/3-380.jpg "Mark DeRoche (center) and Brennan Phillips (kneeling) of the Institute for Exploration (IFE) loosen the tie-down straps to relaunch the Argus ROV on the afternoon of June 1. Technical difficulties with the ROVs forced their return from the wreckage of the Titanic.")
![[image] R/V Ronald H. Brown.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-2/4-380.jpg "Dr. Robert Ballard (in yellow jacket) stands on the deck of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown.")
![[image] ROVs.](/titanic/media/slideshow04-2/5-380.jpg "IFE engineer Dave Wright checks the repaired tether cable between the Hercules and Argus ROVs.")
![[image] Beaming Up Images](/titanic/media/slideshow04-2/6-380.jpg "In the control van on the deck of NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown, Dr. Robert Ballard (foreground) and NOAA Corps Capt. Craig McLean view the Titanic shipwreck as cameras attached to the Hercules ROV beam up images from 12,500 ft. depth.")
![[image] Bow Mosaic](/titanic/media/slideshow04-2/7-380.jpg "This mosaic of the Titanic's bow section was originally published in the October 1987 issue of National Geographic Magazine). An updated mosaic will be made from images collected by the Hercules ROV during this expedition.")
![[image] Repaired Tether](/titanic/media/slideshow04-3/1-380.jpg "June 2: Dr. Robert Ballard (left) kneels on the deck of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown and applies finishing touches to the recently repaired tether connecting the Hercules and Argus ROVs. Heavy seas may have damaged the tether earlier that day when the ROVs ascended from the wreck of the Titanic. Assisting him is the ship's bosun, Bruce Cowden.")
![[image] Hercules Retrieved](/titanic/media/slideshow04-3/2-380.jpg "Institute for Exploration (IFE) engineer Brennan Phillips (foreground) stands along the railing of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown as the Hercules ROV is retrieved early on June 2 due to foul weather. The ROV was imaging and mapping the Titanic shipwreck at a depth of 12,500 ft.")
![[image] Rusticle Experiment](/titanic/media/slideshow04-3/3-380.jpg "IFE engineer Dave Lavalvo (in red) removes a rusticle experiment station from the Hercules")
![[image] Roy Cullimore](/titanic/media/slideshow04-3/4-380.jpg "Microbiologist Dr. Roy Cullimore holds the rusticle experiment station. The Hercules ROV brought it up from the Titanic wreck today (June 2). He placed the station on the bow section of the shipwreck back in 1998 to conduct a future rusticle analysis.")
![[image] Jay Schadler](/titanic/media/slideshow04-4/1-380.jpg "Jay Schadler (in yellow jacket), host of the National Geographic Channel's")
![[image] Dr. Robert Ballard Communicating](/titanic/media/slideshow04-4/2-380.jpg "Dr. Robert Ballard communicates to the deck of the NOAA vessel Ronald H. Brown from the control van prior to launching the Hercules ROV on June 4. The ROV can be seen on the screen at far right. He has returned to the Titanic to film and map the wreckage. The National Geographic Channel will air the show 'Return to Titanic' on June 7 at 9 p.m.")
![[image] Dr. Robert Ballard Photographing](/titanic/media/slideshow04-4/3-380.jpg "'Return to Titanic' expedition leader Dr. Robert Ballard photographing the Hercules ROV as it is launched from the deck of the NOAA vessel Ronald H. Brown. The ROV underwent repairs to its cameras and mechanical arms.")
![[image] Lowering The Flag](/titanic/media/slideshow04-4/4-380.jpg "NOAA Corps Ensign Silas Ayers lowers the flag on the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown at 8 a.m. on June 6 and prepares to raise a new flag to half-mast in honor of the late President Ronald Reagan.")
