Life at sea is full of surprises, but even the most seasoned expedition crews know that some moments come only once in a career.

That moment arrived aboard the expedition cruise ship National Geographic Resolution during a recent Antarctic voyage operated by Lindblad Expeditions, when the ship’s team helped make marine history by capturing what are believed to be the first-ever underwater photographs of a Ross seal.

The images were taken by Justin Hofman, a marine biologist and undersea specialist who has worked aboard expedition vessels since 2008. Despite spending 15 seasons in Antarctica, Hofman says he has seen only two Ross seals in his entire career, and this encounter marked just the second.

The Ross seal is almost mythical. The species lives deep within the Antarctic pack ice, far south of most shipping routes, and its life remains largely undocumented due to how rarely it is seen, especially underwater.

“It was never a goal or a target,” Hofman explained. “More like one of those ‘wouldn’t that be incredible?’ thoughts you have at sea, knowing it might never actually happen.”

Then, unexpectedly, it did.

During the voyage, National Geographic Resolution pushed further south than any previous Lindblad expedition, setting a new “furthest south” milestone. Thanks to the ship’s advanced ice-class design, experienced bridge team, and highly coordinated expedition crew, the vessel was able to safely operate in areas few ships ever reach.

It was there, surrounded by dense ice and silence, that the rare seal appeared.

While Hofman captured still images, expedition team member Ayla Townsend recorded underwater video footage, believed to be among the only moving images of a Ross seal ever filmed beneath the surface.