Unveiling the mysteries of the Kermadec Trench

On October 29^th, 2022, scientists from China and New Zealand left Auckland on board the R/V Tansuoyihao to use, for the first time, the full-ocean-depth human-occupied vehicle (HOV) Fendouzhe to systematically explore the Kermadec Trench. The first 1-month-long leg of the voyage was successfully completed on November 25^th, 2022. The HOV Fendouzhe conducted 16 dives between 5747 and 10 010 m in depth, with five dives exceeding 9000 m and two dives to the Scholl Deep, the deepest point of the Kermadec Trench. On November 4^th, a first dive to the Scholl Deep was conducted by a scientist (Dr. Kareen Schnabel) from New Zealand National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research and two pilots (Ms. Yuqing Deng and Mr. Xin Yuan) from the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, who spent 6 h exploring the Scholl Deep and the adjacent western slope of the trench. This was the first time a female scientist reached the deepest point of this trench. Following a short return to Auckland for re-supply and staff changeover, the second leg of the voyage will be completed before the end of December with another 15 dives planned.