NRP D. Carlos I participated in the Gorringe Ocean Expedition 2024

Under the Expedition Blue Ocean Gorringe 2024, the NRP D. Carlos I, a Portuguese Navy hydrographic ship, played an important role in scientific research that took place in the underwater hill Gorringe.

The hydrographic ship was responsible for the multi-beam mapping of Mount Gorringe to carry out oceanographic evaluations. The data collected were key to understanding the topography of the submarine hill. It is the highest mountain in Western Europe, almost 5,000 metres high, from the abyssal plains to its highest peak, 29 metres (Gettysburg). This submarine hill, 200 km long and 80 km wide, is an area protected by the Natura 2000 network due to its extreme ecological importance.

The Gorringe Ocean Expedition 2024, which ran from 7 to 28 September, aimed to promote marine conservation, providing important scientific data to support current efforts to implement 30x30 targets in mainland Portugal.

In addition to the NRP D. Carlos I, Santa Maria Manuela (responsible for scientific and technical dives, biodiversity assessments, media and lander deployment), Catamarã Feel Good I (responsible for sampling pelagic environments with BRUVs (Remote Underwater Video Systems with Isca) and observers with marine mammals, marine birds and human impacts) and Catamarã Oceanus II (responsible for diving with ROVs to explore deeper areas up to about 200 meters).

The expedition was attended by 67 people from six different nationalities (Portugal, Spain, United States of America, France, Germany and Russia), including 21 scientists from various areas, 21 divers and media. The list of participants also included members of the emergency medical team capable of operating hyperbaric chambers.