National Oceanography Centre | National Oceanography Centre National Oceanography Centre Science Technology Under the Surface Facilities Education About Careers Media Centre Big Science for Big Challenges Research Expeditions Sustained Observations NOC Surface Flux and Meteorological Dataset Arctic Research Our Science Research Areas Marine Physics and Ocean Climate Marine Systems Modelling Ocean BioGeosciences Ocean Technology and Engineering Projects Publications Technology Development Autonomous Vehicles Electronics, Software and Communications Instruments and Sensors Marine Autonomous Robotic Systems Mechanical Engineering Technology Archive Autosub Development Unmanned Surface Vehicle Development Deep-Ocean Lander Development The Story of Autosub Marine Geohazards Marine Heatwaves Seagrass In the Twilight Zone Plastics in the Ocean Monsters of the Deep The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation Actions for the Ocean Decade Data and Research Facilities Discovery Collections British Oceanographic Data Centre (external link) British Ocean Sediment Core Research Facility (external link) Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (external link) National Tidal and Sea Level Facility (external link) NERC Data Catalogue Service (external link) Research Ships The RRS Discovery The RRS James Cook Net Zero Oceanographic Capability Past, Present, Future History of Research Ships Hire of Research Vessels National Marine Equipment Pool Autosubs Autonomous Surface Vehicles Scientific Engineering Geophysical Surveys Container Laboratories Oceanographic Sampling Seafloor Sampling Communications Deep Platforms Gliders Coastal and Shelf Seas Instrumentation Services Projects Services and Facilities Laboratories, Workshops and Testing Facilities Laboratories Workshops Testing Facilities National Oceanographic Library Archives and Special Collections NOC Research Publications Open Access Information and Data Resources Visitor Access Hosting Events at NOC Southampton Postgraduate Studies Doctoral Training Partnerships Graduate School, NOC Southampton PhD Opportunities at NOC Liverpool Undergraduate Studies University of Liverpool (external link) University of Southampton (external link) Educational Resources Into the Blue Podcast Online Learning What’s On Coastal Walk – The Crosby Sequence Create your own Earth Observation poster Boaty McBoatface West P&I Science Bursary Training course: Autonomous Platforms as A Research Tool (A.P.A.R.T) Our Organisation Our Vision Leadership and Governance Literature and Brochures Our Commitments Our History and Heritage Our Ambassadors Learned and Professional Societies Partnerships Our National Role Our International Role Staff Directory Contact form Complaints Support Us One Ocean Ocean Education Individual Corporate Partnerships Philanthropy Supplying the NOC Supplying to Us Sustainable Procurement Latest News News Archive Current Vacancies Working for NOC NOC Recruitment FAQs Women in NOC Women in Engineering New Starter Portal Explore our sites What to expect when you first join New starters FAQs Latest News NOC Logo Guidelines play pause By gaining a deeper knowledge of the ocean, we help every living thing on our planet flourish Our Vision National Oceanography Centre Science and Research Our planet is constantly changing and climate change poses a big threat to society. With years of experience, innovative technology and some of the world’s leading scientists, we take on the challenge of understanding the complexity of our oceans, the Earth system and biosphere. Technology The NOC is a pioneer of ocean technology – pushing the boundaries of endurance and capability with every deployment. Through decades of hard-won experience at the forefront of ocean measure­ment, the lessons learned carry forward to each generation of ocean-going platforms and sensors. Public Benefit The NOC contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge of the ocean, as part of a global endeavour. This is both a public good in its own right, which can lead to applications that result directly or indirectly in public benefit. Our planet is a blue planet The ocean covers the majority of Earth’s surface, regulating climate, absorbing carbon, and sustaining life on a global scale. Yet vast areas remain unexplored, and the ocean’s critical role is often underestimated. Our 2025–2035 strategy sets out how we will lead the next decade of ocean science. It is built on a commitment to knowledge that is not only rigorous, but purposeful, accessible, and applied for the benefit of society and planetary health. Visit our Strategy Website Be part of the community shaping our ocean’s future Get involved Under the Surface Discover the Big Science we’re undertaking to meet the Big Challenges facing the ocean. Find out about the research and innovation that can protect our ocean, planet and people. Into the Blue Podcast Into the Blue, a new podcast produced by the National Oceanography Centre, will dive deeper into a variety of hot topics relating to oceanography with a diverse selection of scientists who are all helping to enhance our knowledge of the ocean. Watch or listen to the podcasts NOC Annual Report and Finances In our latest Annual Report and Financial Statements, we share the great success stories as the UK’s leading marine research charity, building a world where everyone feels empowered and inspired to help the Ocean thrive. Read the NOC Annual Report and Finances (pdf) The NOC provides Facilities to the UK Marine Research Community Advances in ocean science depend on measurements in the ocean. Satellite observations provide data for the surface layer of the ocean. To penetrate beyond the surface, scientists rely on in situ physical measurements from a range of platforms, including research ships, ocean observatories, moorings, and autonomous underwater and surface vehicles. More about Facilities World-leading innovative Science and Technology underpinning the Ocean Economy The National Oceanography Centre is in a unique position of having world-leading multi-disciplinary scientific and technical expertise which can help unlock the economic and societal potential of the ocean across a range of industry sectors. Working with Business In the Spotlight Marine Geohazards Underwater phenomena including: landslides, volcanic eruptions, turbidity currents and tsunamis; these represent a threat to humans and the environment. RRS Discovery Virtual Tour Explore one of the world’s most advanced research vessels from bridge to engine room. FLAME Aims to establish a Global Coastal Ocean Model Intercomparison Programme that will provide climate change impacts and hazard assessments to future IPCC reports. Online Learning A free Ocean Science in Action educational video course. ** Add page to config of the “Featured News” block ** ** Add page to config of the “Publications” block ** News See all News Set sail on a voyage of discovery at the National Oceanography Centre Open Day News 20 April 2026 Registration is now open for the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) open day on World Ocean Day (Sunday 14 June). Help us celebrate NOC’s 30th… NOC remembers pioneering ocean scientist James Crease 14 April 2026 The National Oceanography Centre is saddened to learn of the death of James Crease (1927 – 2025), a scientist whose work helped shape physical oceanography and establish the… Study re-evaluates long-term burial rates of carbon in Irish Sea sediments 9 April 2026 Scientists have uncovered new evidence that reveals the role of muddy seabeds in carbon storage in the Irish Sea, which may support long-term climate regulation. A recent study led by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) reveals that the… Biodiversity boost: 24 new deep-sea species discovered in major Pacific research 24 March 2026 Researchers have announced the discovery of 24 new deep-sea amphipod species – including one new superfamily – from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), in the central Pacific… New species named in prestigious WoRMS Top 10 19 March 2026 A recently identified deep-sea coral has been selected for the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) Top 10 Marine Species of 2025, making it one of the year’s most significant achievements in global marine taxonomy. The species, which is… Marine science students in Liverpool dive into ocean challenges with the National Oceanography Centre 18 March 2026 Second year Marine Science students at the University of Liverpool are gaining real-world experience through a project focused on researching and analysing data from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC)’s Autosub Long Range (ALR) vehicles -… Global Ocean Observing Programme GO-SHIP Earns Prestigious International Recognition 27 February 2026 The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is delighted to announce that the Global Ocean Ship-Based Hydrographic Investigations Program (GO-SHIP) has received The Oceanography Society’s prestigious Ocean Observing Team Award. The honour… Giant iceberg behaviour impacts regional biogeochemical cycling in the Southern Ocean Communications Earth & Environment Published 2026 High-frequency observations of plankton and particle abundance from a cabled observatory off Japan Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research Published 2026 Past, present, and future variability of Atlantic meridional overturning circulation in CMIP6 ensembles Earth System Dynamics Published 2026 High nitrogen fixation and Braarudosphaera presence in the North Sea Limnology and Oceanography Published 2026