MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) | 25 years of ocean exploration: The story of MBARI's R/V Western Flyer @MBARIvideo | Uploaded May 2023 | Updated October 2024, 7 hours ago.
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: mbari.org/news/western-flyer-farewell
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
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: mbari.org/news/western-flyer-farewell
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
