Mobilisation: Mission-specific platforms are especially chosen to fullfil particular scientific objectives. In many cases this requires modifications to get the most appropriate platform.
The chosen vessel is the RRS James Cook carrying seabed rock drills, RD2 (BGS) and MeBo (MARUM, University of Bremen), and was mobilised in Southampton (UK) from 16 to 26 October, 20015. A media visit to the RRS James Cook was organised on 23 October in Southampton.

![RRS James Cook docked in Southampton (ECORD/IODP) [357-mob1] 357-mob1](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob1-215x215.jpg)
![RRS James Cook docked in Southampton (C. Cotterill, ECORD/IODP) [357-mob2] 357-mob2](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob2-215x215.jpg)
![RRS James Cook during mobilisation in Southampton (H. Kuhlmann, ECORD/IODP) [357-mob3] 357-mob3](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob3-215x215.jpg)
![Preparing to transfer seabed rock drill RD2 onboard RRS James Cook (H.J. Wallrabe-Adams, ECORD/IODP) [357-mob4] 357-mob4](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob4-215x215.jpg)
![The stern of RSS James Cook with seabed rock drills MeBo2 and RD2 in position (ECORD/IODP) [357-mob5] 357-mob5](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob5-215x215.jpg)
![Seabed rock drill MeBo in position onboard RRS James Cook(C. Cotterill, ECORD/IODP) [357-mob6] 357-mob6](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob6-215x215.jpg)
![Testing MeBo in Southampton harbour (H. Kuhlmann, ECORD/IODP) [357-mob7] 357-mob7](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob7-215x215.jpg)
![Testing MeBo2 in Southampton harbour (I. Pheasant, ECORD/IODP)[357-mob8] 357-mob8](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob8-215x215.jpg)
![Testing RD2 in Southampton harbour (H. Kuhlmann, ECORD/IODP) [357-mob9] 357-mob9](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob9-215x215.jpg)
![The banner of Expedition 357 (Y. Morono, ECORD/IODP) [357-mob10] 357-mob10](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob10-215x215.jpg)
![RRS James mobilised in Southampton (Y. Morono, ECORD/IODP) [357-mob11] 357-mob11](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob11-215x215.jpg)
![RRS James at night in Southampton (Y. Morono, ECORD/IODP) [357-mob12] 357-mob12](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob12-215x215.jpg)
![Beth Orcutt (Co-chief Scientist) is interviewed by a journalist during the visit of RRS James Cook (ECORD/IODP) [357-mob13] 357-mob13](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob13-215x215.jpg)
![Gretchen Frueh-Green (Co-chief Scientist) is interviewed by a journalist during the visit of RRS James Cook (ECORD/IODP)(ECORD/IODP) [357-mob14] 357-mob14](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob14-215x215.jpg)
![Carol Cotterill (Expedition Project Manager) is interviewed by a journalist during the visit of RRS James Cook (ECORD/IODP)(ECORD/IODP) [357-mob15] 357-mob15](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob15-215x215.jpg)
![Expedition Project Manager Carol Cotterill led a tour of the RRS James Cook during the media briefing in Southampton (A. Gerdes, ECORD/IODP) [357-mob16] 357-mob16](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob16-215x215.jpg)
![Expedition Project Manager Carol Cotterill led a tour of the RRS James Cook during the media briefing in Southampton (A. Gerdes, ECORD/IODP) [357-mob17] 357-mob17](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob17-215x215.jpg)
![ESO Operations Manager, Dave Smith, led a tour of the control container onboard the RRS James Cook during the media briefing in Southampton (A. Gerdes, ECORD/IODP) [357-mob18] 357-mob18](https://www.ecord.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/357-mob18-215x215.jpg)