First Visual Survey of IJN Akagi 赤城 Historic Battle of Midway Shipwreck, Nautilus Live

Ocean Exploration Trusts visual survey of the Japanese aircraft carrier Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) Akagi 赤城 is the first time anyone has laid eyes on the vessel since sinking during June 1942s Battle of Midway. Akagi was initially located during a mapping survey conducted by Vulcan, Inc. in 2019 that involved U. S. Navy participation. On September 10, 2023, E, V Nautilus team spent 14 hours surveying Akagi, examining battle and seafloor collision damage in the ships structure. The dive was launched and closed with protocol ceremonies to honor this place and all who lost their lives in ways that reflected their significance to Kānaka ʻOiwi (Native Hawaiian), Japanese, and U. S. military families and communities. These historic, noninvasive, visual survey dives were conducted during the E, V Nautilus Ala ʻAumoana Kai Uli expedition, a 27day NOAAfunded mission to explore neverbeforeseen deepwater habitats to collect baseline data needed to support management in the most