25 years of ocean exploration: The story of MBARI's R/V Western Flyer

David Packard believed that addressing the challenges of ocean exploration required a new type of research institute-one independent in spirit and collaborative by design. He founded MBARI on the core principle of scientists, engineers, and marine operations working in equal partnership to develop innovative marine technology. The research vessel Western Flyer embodied MBARI’s willingness to think big, be bold, and invest in long-term outcomes.
Constructed in 1996 with a unique twin hull design, the 117-foot SWATH vessel represented David Packard’s vision of developing innovative new platforms to better access and explore the ocean. SWATH, which stands for small waterplane area twin hull, means the ship is much more stable than more common monohull vessels. This stability, combined with a specially constructed moonpool at the center of the vessel, made the ship an ideal platform to deploy, operate, and recover remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). For much of its time at MBARI the Western Flyer worked together with the Doc Ricketts, MBARI’s ROV capable of exploring to depths of 4,000 meters (2.5 miles).
The Western Flyer was instrumental to many of MBARI’s achievements: from studying ecosystems that could give insights into the impacts of climate change on the ocean, to identifying more than 200 new species-including a crown jelly, a harp sponge, and an incredible bone-eating worm named Osedax westernflyer in honor of the ship itself. During its quarter-century at MBARI, the Western Flyer also traveled to conduct research beyond its home base of Monterey Bay, venturing northwards to sites such as the Pacific Northwest, and southwards to places like Hawaii and Mexico’s Gulf of California.
After 25 years serving as MBARI’s flagship research vessel, the Western Flyer has begun a new chapter in education. MBARI granted the ship to the University of South Florida, which hosts the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), for use as a sailing classroom. FIO will provide students with a unique mix of at-sea and on-shore training and mentoring to build ocean science, engineering, and maritime trade skills. The new program will focus on engaging students from historically black colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, and tribal colleges, providing an opportunity for students of diverse backgrounds and experiences to learn more about careers in ocean science, engineering, and marine operations. MBARI wishes the Western Flyer well in this next stage of its life, as it continues to foster the spirit of exploration in future generations of the ocean STEM community.
Learn more: www.mbari.org/news/western-fl...
Credits:
Senior Producer: Madeline Go
Producers: Heidi Cullen, Nancy Jacobsen-Stout, Kyra Schlining, and Susan von Thun
Interview Film Crew: Philip Lima, Erik Lehmer and Max Stovall at Impact Creative
Post-Production: Deva Blaisdell-Anderson, Donald Eldridge, and Mitch Temkin at Impact Creative
Special thanks to:
Shari Bell
Deva Blaisdell-Anderson, Donald Eldridge and the entire team at Impact Creative
All of the documentary interviewees and pre-interviewees:
Bruce Robison
Chris Grech
Qu’Derrick Covington
Steve Haddock
Bryan Touryan-Schaefer
Kyra Schlining
Daniel Chamberlain
Bill Kirkwood
Knute Brekke
George Matsumoto
Lance Wardle
Kakani Katija
Alana Sherman
Jim Barry
Chris Scholin
Francisco Chavez
Kim Reisenbichler
Jenny Paduan
Andew McKee
All MBARIans, past and present, who shared archival media
Monty Graham and Chris Sharp at Florida Institute of Oceanography
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Film & Video Production Team:
Presley Adamson
Christy Chamberlain
Giovana Reis
Andrew Wise
In Memory of: Derek Baylis and Steve Etchemendy

[@buzzbuoy]

I love Mbari

[@boundsgreenboy8354]

Absolutely fantastic story of MBARI and the vision of a wonderful man and all of the people's who, with similar ambitious, foresight and dream's to explore the oceans of this incredible diverse range of life within.
May God bless Derek Baylis,. Steve Etchemendy and of course you all in the quest for knowledge 🙏
Thank you all at MBARI.

[@alexandrel.rodriguez9583]

Great works! Image, sounds, projecte and people! Long live to Mbari and the sea (all small lives, Big, lights, weird, etc ) I love It, really 😙

[@jessebarlow1277]

One of the best videos MBARI has put out! The lore is rich and deep!

[@brucefelter1335]

Phenomenal and so very important research and discoveries! A great team effort!

[@nanaobeng-koranteng557]

The work you are doing is extremely incredible! Thank you for taking the risks and all the sacrifices which make the work possible.

[@berbudy]

why am I tearing up..

[@daphnia-magna]

Amazing work!

[@michaelhoran407]

Please discuss what sonar pinging does to deep ocean species.

[@vickijohnson4668]

you lost me at 14:56 when someone talked about diversity, equity and inclusion. What the feck has that got to do with science?

[@vickijohnson4668]

Scientific research depends on competence and knowledge not on diversity, equity and inclusion.