The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) was founded in 1987 by David Packard. It's located in Moss Landing, California, where its three research ships and two remotely operated vehicles are berthed, giving them immediate access to Monterey Bay. MBARI also operates several autonomous underwater vehicles and maintains moorings offshore, equipped with ocean-monitoring instruments, as well as two moorings in the equatorial Pacific that are part of the NOAA Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) array.

MBARI scientists propose and execute innovative studies, both experimental and theoretical, in the ocean sciences. Engineers and operations staff, in partnership with the scientists, develop or adapt supporting technology. MBARI's current efforts span eight research themes including benthic processes, midwater research, upper ocean biogeochemistry, MBARI Ocean Observing System (MOOS), remotely operated vehicle enhancements and upgrades, new insitu instruments, infrastructure support, and information dissemination and outreach. Jeremy Geelan had the opportunity to discuss some of the technology MBARI uses with Kevin Gomes, a senior software engineer with MBARI.