{"id":24057,"date":"2026-10-07T16:08:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T20:08:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/?p=24057"},"modified":"2026-10-07T16:08:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T20:08:42","slug":"earhart-expedition-update-crew-begins-6-day-sea-voyage-to-south-pacific-atoll-nikumaroro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/Q4\/earhart-expedition-update-crew-begins-6-day-sea-voyage-to-south-pacific-atoll-nikumaroro","title":{"rendered":"Earhart expedition update: Crew begins 6-day sea voyage to South Pacific atoll Nikumaroro"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TARAWA, Kiribati \u2014 The Taraia Object expedition team began the next leg of its journey \u2014 and its first seaborne one \u2014 departing Tarawa, Kiribati, on Wednesday aboard a Kiribati National Shipping Line vessel en route to Nikumaroro, the remote Pacific atoll where the team will search for evidence of Amelia Earhart\u2019s missing Lockheed Electra 10-E.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 17-person expedition team includes representatives from the Archaeological Legacy Institute (ALI), Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue University, RECON Offshore and the Republic of Kiribati. The Purdue Research Foundation originally funded the Lockheed Electra \u201cFlying Laboratory\u201d through the Amelia Earhart Fund for Aeronautical Research as part of Purdue\u2019s pioneering efforts in aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earhart was attempting to become the first person to circumnavigate the globe at the equator. She had completed 22,000 miles of a 29,000-mile route in July 1937 when she and her navigator, Fred Noonan, vanished en route to Howland Island, about 400 miles north of Nikumaroro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the loading of equipment and a safety briefing, the expedition team and 17-person boat crew departed Tarawa aboard the Marin Mainiku at about 7:30 p.m. local time Wednesday. Tarawa is 16 hours ahead of Eastern time in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next six days, the Marin Mainiku will travel approximately 830 nautical miles at an average speed of 8 knots, or about 9 miles per hour, before reaching Nikumaroro around Monday, Oct. 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early reports from the expedition team indicate the vessel encountered heavy seas upon leaving Tarawa\u2019s large lagoon. The prevailing sea state and tide effects of El Ni\u00f1o are anticipated to be a key consideration during the voyage, including upon arrival at Nikumaroro. That is when the Marin Mainiku\u2019s landing craft will need to navigate a narrow passage known as the \u201cblasted channel,\u201d a gap in the island\u2019s high reef created by the British government during its evacuation of colonists in 1963 \u2014 the last time the island had inhabitants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On board the Marin Mainiku, the team had its first meal of chicken stew. Each crew member has a designated sleeping pod equipped with a mattress and pillow, along with space for personal belongings.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"\"\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n\n
\n\n

Earhart team departs<\/h2>\n

The expedition team includes three Boilermakers (from front left): Marc Hagle, Steve Schultz and Sirisha Bandla. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"\"\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n\n
\n\n

Earhart team departs<\/h2>\n

Expedition team members Steve Schultz and Rick Pettigrew pose for a selfie. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"\"\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n\n
\n\n

Earhart team departs<\/h2>\n

Equipment was shipped from multiple points in the United States and loaded onto the boat in Tarawa. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"\"\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n\n
\n\n

Earhart team departs<\/h2>\n

The expedition team enjoys a sunset departure from Tarawa. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"\"\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n\n
\n\n

Earhart team departs<\/h2>\n

Each crew member has a designated sleeping pod equipped with a mattress and pillow. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"\"\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n
\n\n
\n\n

Earhart team departs<\/h2>\n

The team enjoys its first breakfast on the Marin Mainiku. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n