Two research vessels will be used during the 2006 expeditions to carry out marine geological surveying and sampling around Thera volcano. The ships will operate 24 hours a day utilizing SEABEAM swath bathymetry, side scan sonar, and deploying remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
		The first leg of the expedition will use the Greek research vessel R/V Aegaeo. It is operated by the Institute of Oceanography of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. R/V Aegaeo was built in 1985 and refitted in 1997 as a floating laboratory equipped with a complete range of instruments for geophysical exploration of the sea floor. The ship is 62 m long, with a crew of 22 and berthing for 21 scientists.
		The second leg of the expedition will use U.S. research vessel R/V Endeavor. It is owned by the U.S. National Science Foundation, and operated by the Graduate School of Oceanography of the University of Rhode Island. The ship was built in 1975 but refitted in 1993. It is 185 feet in length, with a crew of 12 and accommodations for 17 scientists. The Endeavor is designed as a multi-purpose research vessel, for a wide variety of oceanographic missions.