April 30, 2026

Preparing for Field Season

Every spring, sanctuary staff make strides to prepare for the summer field season. This preparation requires all hands on deck. The vessel operations team ensures the R/V Manta, the sanctuary's research vessel, completes repairs, evaluations, and inspections to get the vessel ready for operations in the Gulf.

The research team inventories and makes repairs to gear and technology needed to complete coral reef monitoring and mooring buoy installation missions. Sanctuary divers and vessel crew complete necessary safety and first aid training to ensure all staff offshore is prepared for emergency situations.

Preparation and planning are key when working underwater, over 100 miles offshore! 

Get Into Your Sanctuary Day - May 16 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Join us for a sanctuary open house where you can get to “NOAA” us and discover more about your national marine sanctuary off the Texas and Louisiana coastline. This event is FREE and open to the public. Featuring marine scientists, underwater technology, lionfish demonstrations, hands-on activities, and more. Questions? Email flowergarden@noaa.gov.

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