OceanGate Expeditions has selected Island Offshore as its preferred partner for deep sea exploration.
As part of the agreement, a vessel from Island Offshore’s fleet of subsea construction and accommodation vessels will be used as the primary topside support vessel for the 2019 Titanic Survey Expedition.
“Every offshore expedition has its own set of logistical challenges,” explains Stockton Rush , OceanGate CEO and Founder. “The partnership with Island Offshore is instrumental in reducing those challenges. Their vast knowledge, experienced crews, and ability to adapt are exactly what we need to deliver exceptional experiences to our clients and mission specialists.”
As per the agreement, OceanGate will grant first right of refusal to Island Offshore on all deep sea expeditions over the next five years that require a commercial grade and classed support vessel. Island Offshore will provide suitable ships, offshore crew and personnel to support the OceanGate Expeditions team and help accomplish the mission objectives.
“Our crew is honored and excited to be a part of this historic expedition. We are really looking forward to working with OceanGate and helping them accomplish their mission of making manned exploration of the deep ocean more accessible than ever,” said Håvard Ulstein , Managing Director of Island Offshore.
The chosen Island Offshore vessel, scheduled to depart from St. John’s, Newfoundland in June 2019, will serve as the topside support ship for the first manned submersible mission to the RMS Titanic since 2005. The six-week expedition will explore and map the wreck located nearly 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic.
The Island Offshore vessel will house over 35 expedition crew members, mission specialists, researchers, and scientists for the duration of the expedition.
Beyond the multi-year Titanic Survey Expedition, the two companies are already said to be discussing projects in the Caribbean Sea, Coral Sea, Adriatic Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.