Monitoring ocean change and variability along 170⁰W from the equator to ice edge

Voyage Number

IN2026_V06

Voyage Dates

27 Sep, 2026 to 16 Dec, 2026

Voyage Location

Lautoka (Fiji) to Hobart via Wellington (New Zealand)

Chief Scientist

Dr Bea Pena Molino (Leg 1)
Dr Laura Herraiz Borreguero (Leg 2)

Institution

CSIRO

View the full voyage

Voyage summary

RV Investigator will undertake a research voyage to the western Pacific Ocean to complete a program of full ocean depth measurements from the equator to the Antarctic ice-edge to monitor ocean change and variability. This voyage is split into 2 legs:

• Leg 1 - Lautoka (Fiji) to Wellington (New Zealand): 40 days at sea
• Leg 2 - Wellington (New Zealand) to Hobart: 35 days at sea.

A port call will be made in Wellington, New Zealand from 5-12 November between the 2 legs of the voyage.

The western Pacific Ocean is a global region most impacted by warming waters, ocean acidification and Antarctic melting, yet is one of the regions with the least data and observations. This voyage will intensively survey along the critical 170°W section of the Pacific Ocean from the equator to the ice edge. The research will provide critical ocean observations to better understand how climate change is affecting the ocean system and data collected will contribute to global climate models, IPCC assessments and regional climate projections.

Importantly, for Pacific Nations facing acute climate risks, evidence-based understanding of changing ocean conditions is essential for planning infrastructure, protecting communities and managing marine resources. The voyage includes several early career researchers from Pacific Nations and will contribute to building long-term scientific capability for the Pacific region, providing hands-on research experience, mentoring and involvement in a globally significant ocean observing program. 

There are 2 other projects on the voyage:

1. Developing Jonathan: an automated seabird detector (Carlie Devine, Rich Little CSIRO): development of an automated on-vessel seabird detector called ‘Jonathan.’
2. Ice to Equator 2: Clouds, climate and atmospheric chemistry across the Southern Pacific Ocean (Joel Alroe QUT): a comprehensive, high-resolution survey of cloud, precipitation, and aerosol processes along a rare full transect of the southern Pacific Ocean.

The voyage has 70 science participants in total - 34 participants (Leg 1) and 37 participants (Leg 2) - plus 21 (Leg 1) and 20 (Leg 2) ship crew from Cyan Vessel Operations. Voyage participants come from more than 15 institutions worldwide.

170°W was previously surveyed by RV Investigator in 2016, RV Southern Surveyor in 2009 and ORV Franklin in 2001, demonstrating the sustained support for global ocean monitoring efforts provided by CSIRO research infrastructure and expertise.

Voyage outcomes

Voyage outcomes will be published approximately 3-6 months after the completion of the voyage.