From oceanic critters to the oceanic frontier: our researchers navigating the Indian Ocean

Our researchers are aboard RV Investigator, travelling along an Indian Ocean route that was last studied 60 years ago, looking at how the oceans have changed with the climate.

Dropping a line in the Indian Ocean

Sixty years after the first major study of the deep, unknown waters of the Indian Ocean, a team of scientists on our RV Investigator are returning to see what’s changed.

What happens now we’ve found the site of the lost Australian freighter SS Iron Crown, sunk in WWII

Finding shipwrecks isn’t easy – it’s a combination of survivor reports, excellent archival research, a highly skilled team, top equipment and some good old-fashioned luck. But that’s just what happened with the recent discovery of SS Iron Crown, lost off the coast of Victoria in Bass Strait during the second world war.

Long-lost shipwreck found off Victorian coast, 77 years after being torpedoed by Japanese submarine in WWII

Thirty-eight people died when SS Iron Crown was sunk by a Japanese submarine during World War II. Its underwater grave has now been discovered 77 years later.

Fill up on fish & ships with RV Investigator

In 1876, SS Queensland sank off Wilsons Promontory in Victoria, after colliding with the steamer Barrabool. In 2019, RV Investigator is using the wreck of SS Queensland to give us higher quality maps for safe navigation ahead of a program of historic shipwreck surveys in the area.

Seafaring superstars: Six women shining on our national science ship

Meet six women working aboard our research vessel, Investigator. From a doctor to a biological oceanographer to a ship's captain, these women are ferry impressive ambassadors for STEMM.

Using technology to better understand our Antarctic marine life

How do you measure data in such a large area for two species in a short amount of time? A team of scientists have used innovative technology to uncover the distribution of endangered blue whales and krill.

The thrill of the krill: giant super-organisms captured in 3D

Scientists on board our research vessel Investigator have 3D-modelled hundreds of millions of krill in giant swarm and noticed a puzzling gender imbalance.

Eavesdropping on Antarctic blue whales

A team of researchers from the Australian Antarctic Division on board the RV Investigator are using underwater listening devices originally developed to track submarines to find ‘hotspots’ of Antarctic blue whales.

Are tropical holidays bad for your evolution?

New research shows the history of our deep ocean is written in the stars.

Krill, whales and poo power

At the end of the day, who doesn’t like a good poo story (especially when it's about poo from the largest animal on Earth)!

Did a hotspot break up your relationship?

We’re back out on the waves on board RV Investigator serving up live science plucked fresh from the high seas – and what a voyage it’s been!