Epic 6-Part Underwater Adventure Series Ocean Explorers Debuts August 21 on National Geographic Channel

From National Geographic explorer James Cameron (Avatar), BBC Studios Natural History Unit (Blue Planet II) and OceanX comes the most ambitious ocean adventure ever made. Ocean Explorer It will premiere on the National Geographic Channel (DStv 181, Starsat 220) every Wednesday at 7pm starting from August 21.

The National Geographic series takes viewers aboard OceanX’s state-of-the-art scientific research and exploration vessel, OceanXplorer, to explore the farthest frontiers of the world’s oceans, 80 percent of which is completely unknown. With advanced technology, a hand-picked team of intrepid explorers and scientists, National Geographic Explorers and other ocean experts embark on a global adventure to unravel some of the greatest ocean mysteries through the lives of marine animals and their ecosystems. The ship embarks on a grand adventure – sailing to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean in the Azores, diving into the shallow waters of the Bahamas and the warm waters of the Caribbean, before heading north to the cold Arctic coast of Svalbard, Norway. Ocean Explorer An immersive experience that takes you into the depths of the underwater world where amazing discoveries are pushing the boundaries of exploration and our understanding of the ocean like never before.

“My real passion is deep-sea science and exploration,” Cameron said. Ocean Explorer“With 2020’s Ocean Explorers, we take viewers on an unparalleled expedition into ocean science, introducing them in real time to a group of principled, passionate individuals on a sometimes dangerous mission to explore the ocean. We showcase the stakes and firsts, and tell a visually spectacular and dramatic story – one that inspires the next generation of explorers and adventurers dedicated to protecting and preserving the ocean.”

Purpose-built by OceanX, a global science, media, and exploration nonprofit, OceanXplorer is a technological marvel capable of exploring the depths of the world’s oceans. The vessel is equipped with two submersibles – Neptune and Nadir – that can dive to depths of 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) and stay submerged for up to 72 hours. Onboard is a helicopter, multiple marine science labs, and a media studio to capture new science and discoveries in real time for screens. OceanXplorer is a full-scale research vessel that can traverse the Earth’s oceans, illuminating even the most inaccessible depths.

Ocean Explorer The film combines high-end, science-driven documentary with jaw-dropping footage to capture the drama and excitement of exploration. With so much unknown to explore, the elite team on board combines their expertise and curiosity to use groundbreaking technology and equipment to gather information and capture never-before-seen images of underwater life. The all-star team consists of:

• Zoleka Filander – National Geographic Explorer and Deep Sea Researcher (@Zoleka_Filander). A leader in South Africa’s marine research community, Zoleka was a government scientist and expedition leader who participated in numerous research cruises off the coasts of South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania. She received multiple awards for her contributions to marine science and opened doors for other black women to enter the field.
• Melissa Cristina Marquez – Shark Biologist (@MelissaCristinaMarquez). Melissa is an Australian marine science education specialist with a Master of Science in Marine Biology from Victoria University of Wellington. Originally from Puerto Rico and raised in Mexico, she has been promoting marine science education and communication for over a decade. She has completed over 100 dives and is known as the “Shark Mother”. She is the founder of the Fins United Initiative, a shark conservation and information platform, and a published author of children’s books.
• Eric Stackpole – Ocean Technology Innovator (@Eerrp). With a background in NASA and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, Stackpole served as lead engineer and ROV pilot on a three-month Antarctic expedition, pushing the limits of robotics and drone technology.
• Aldo Kane – Former Royal Marine Special Forces member (@AldoKane). A trained Royal Marine Commando, Kane became one of the youngest elite commando snipers ever and is an expert in survival and combat in all environments – jungle, desert, arctic, ocean and mountains – having led countless waterborne expeditions with some of the world’s elite.

The six-part series includes the following episodes and premiere dates:

“The Kingdom of Humpback Whales”

The team traveled to the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean to uncover the biggest secrets of North Atlantic humpback whale life: Why do thousands of humpbacks gather in a small patch of ocean each year, and how hard do they try when choosing a mate? While exploring the hidden world of humpback whales, they witnessed a mother protecting her calf in the ultimate ocean battle against a group of killer whales.

“Deep Sea Giant”

In the Azores, the team followed elusive sperm whales to their hunting grounds a mile below the surface, where they discovered the secret lives of these deep-sea whales. A state-of-the-art camera system and OceanXplorer submersible explored this world of perpetual darkness and discovered the whales’ prey: a giant squid, never before filmed in Atlantic waters.

“Jurassic Shark”

The team traveled to the Azores to tag the deep-sea giant, the sixgill shark, to learn more about its nocturnal feeding patterns in the deep sea. This was the first time the team had tagged and obtained valuable data, revealing the secrets of why this prehistoric shark made epic journeys from the deep sea at night.

“Hammerhead Highway”

The team witnessed the amazing journey of great hammerhead sharks in the clear waters of Bimini, Bahamas. As the team tracked the migration of great hammerhead sharks back to warmer waters for the winter, they discovered the secrets of how these animals navigate the vast ocean and use their amazing senses to unearth the riches hidden in shallow waters.

“Polar Bear Kingdom”

The team took OceanXplorer to Svalbard, Norway. This icy world is changing faster than anywhere else on Earth. The team’s mission is to find out if Svalbard’s polar bears are adapting to their environment. To do this, they come face to face with this behemoth of the Arctic Ocean and climb glaciers to find out how much time is left in one of the polar bears’ most critical habitats.

Ice Giant

The team took OceanXplorer as far north as possible, to the edge of the Arctic ice cap. There, they learned about the current status of a population of bowhead whales that was once hunted to extinction. They were also the first to observe the feeding strategies of deep-sea Greenland sharks, an animal that can live for more than 400 years.

Ocean Explorer Produced for National Geographic by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and OceanX. James Cameron and Maria Wilhelm are executive producers of LightStorm Earth. Roger Webber and Ola Doherty are executive producers for BBC Studios. Ray Dalio, Mark Dalio, Vincent Pierrebohn and Joe Ruffalo are executive producers for OceanX. Kevin Tao Moss is executive producer for National Geographic and Tom McDonald is executive vice president of global nonfiction and nonscripted content. The series was created in partnership with the National Geographic Society, whose mission is to use the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.