To collect and analyse samples deep in the Southern Ocean, Professor Tom Trull from the ACE CRC, CSIRO and the University of Tasmania, uses the Marine National Facility research vessel.

He previously used RV Southern Surveyor and now he uses RV Investigator, and back in March he was the Chief Scientist on the maiden voyage.

The Southern Ocean can be beautiful, harsh, unrelenting and amazing, all at once.

Here are some incredible photos taken by scientists and support staff on voyages led by Professor Tom Trull, on board Southern Surveyor.

The images of the albatross were taken by Operations Officer Max McGuire and they’re incredible!