Latest Updates from On the Hill - June 2024

Recap: Important Ocean Budget Hearings

On Tuesday,  June 4, NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad testified before the House Science Committee on his agency’s fiscal year 2025 (FY25) budget request. The discussion highlighted the importance of NOAA's work on environmental science, climate resilience, and weather forecasting—especially given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. Concerns were raised over proposed funding cuts to critical programs within the National Ocean Service and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, which could impact NOAA's capacity to execute its mission effectively. Read ESP Advisors’ summary here.

The Richness of the MTS Network

Most of our team was in Kingsport, Tennessee, last week for the 22^nd MATE ROV Competition World Championship. Alongside members of our Board, we watched and celebrated the competitive spirit, collaboration, and ingenuity of 78 teams of students from around the world. This year’s championship was the largest in MATE history; more than 1,000 students and mentors, along with family, friends, and volunteers participated.

Celebrating Our Strengths and Looking Ahead to Future Innovations

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: A RECAP OF THE INAUGURAL TEXAS A&M OCEAN ENGINEERING BANQUET 

The Texas A&M Ocean Engineering Banquet marked a significant milestone as the first event of its kind, organized by student organizations of the Department of Ocean Engineering. Spearheaded by the MTS Student Section at Texas A&M College Station, the banquet celebrated the achievements of graduating students and brought together the department's sponsors, partners, and alumni for an evening of camaraderie and networking. 

MTS PROUDLY ANNOUNCES SEVERAL SUMMER WORKSHOP SCHOLARSHIPS

For eight years, the Marine Technology Society (MTS) has partnered with Northwestern Michigan College and Rutgers University to offer the MTS Summer Workshops. The Workshops provide students with the opportunity to explore various technologies and deploy equipment for collecting data relevant to diverse investigations. 

ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION IN DEEP SEA MINING

As part of the International Seabed Authority's expert scoping workshop "Charting Future Horizons: Harnessing Advanced Technologies for the Protection and Sustainable Use of the International Seabed," held on April 3-5, 2024, Alex Barnard from the MTS Marine Mineral Resources Committee presented, "Robotics and Automation in Deep Sea Mining," with co-authors Bramley Murton (National Oceanography Centre), Andrew Ziegwied (MTS's Uncrewed Maritime Systems Committee and Open Ocean Robotics), and Justin Manley (President of MTS). This presentation emerged from a collaboration between MTS's Marine Mineral Resources and Uncrewed Maritime Systems Committees, and the National Oceanography Centre. It highlighted the important role of advanced marine technology in seabed management and protection, emphasizing the need for mission-specific platforms and sensors for environmental and resource assessment. The content was organized into two modules: Environmental and Resource Assessment and Emerging Trends in Robotics. 

SPRINGING INTO ACTION: MTS EVENTS AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT BLOSSOM

The transition to boreal Spring each year brings with it a familiar flurry of activity and energy around us: blooming trees and flowers draw in pollinators and birds; we clean our gardens, garages, and yards in anticipation of growth and renewal; and, the smells of fresh cut grass, mulch beds, and outdoor grilling draw us outside. In the same vein, MTS is abuzz with activity and energy as we launch into the start of our large event calendar, kickstart the annual MATE ROV Competition through regional competitions, and celebrate the tail-end of the academic year for our students and faculty members. 

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT - MARCH 2024

MTS Takes Center Stage at Oceanology International 2024

MTS had a major presence at Oceanology International (Oi) 2024, hosting several high-profile sessions and maintaining a booth throughout the conference. 

NOAA OCEAN-BASED CLIMATE RESILIENCE ACCELERATOR WEBINAR SERIES LAUNCHES IN APRIL 2024

The Department of Commerce and NOAA provided $3.9 million in awards to help small businesses improve climate resilience in communities across the nation through the Ocean-based Climate Resilience Accelerators program as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, and in alignment with the National Climate Resilience Framework. Concurrently, the Marine Technology Society's Ocean Enterprise Initiative will host a webinar series, open to the public, for the recipients of these grants. This webinar series commences in April and will continue through July 2024. 

OCEANS CONFERENCE AND EXPOSITION REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 

MTS HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2024 OCEAN SCIENCES MEETING AND BEYOND: ACHIEVEMENTS, COLLABORATIONS, AND FUTURE INITIATIVES

A handful of MTS staff and board members have just returned from New Orleans after an exciting and engaging 2024 Ocean Sciences Meeting at the Morial Convention Center. MTS has not traditionally had a large presence at this meeting, but with our growing membership and expanding programs, we were excited to both exhibit and host a handful of sessions as an integral part of the official program.  

MARINE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY'S IMPACTFUL INITIATIVES AT THE OCEAN SCIENCES MEETING 2024

The Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) held in New Orleans the week of February 18-23 provided MTS with numerous occasions to engage with our members and connect with new colleagues who share an interest in our endeavors. 

Funding will bolster NOAA's efforts to support climate resilience through new and emerging technology

Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced $3.9 million in awards to help small businesses improve climate resilience in communities across the nation through the Ocean-based Climate Resilience Accelerators program as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, and in alignment with the National Climate Resilience Framework.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MTS Launches into 2024 - January Message from the President

Happy New Year! Kicking off 2024, MTS is well positioned with a clear vision for the future. Equipped with new innovative programs and a growing professional team, we are ready to engage new opportunities and deliver more value to our members. We are committed to enhance member experience and elevate the society’s impact on the marine technology industry. We believe that the collaborative efforts of our society can drive positive change and advance marine technology globally.

January 2024 On The Hill Updates

Government funding came down to the wire again this month when Congress passed another stopgap funding bill (a continuing resolution or "CR") that will fund the government into March. The spending bills that most directly impact the ocean community, including those that fund the Department of Defense, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Science Foundation (NSF), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), now expire at midnight on March 8. 

Falmouth, MA, December 19, 2023 - Teledyne Marine is pleased to announce the opening of a Service Center for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) in Poland. Established in partnership with Enamor Ltd, this new center reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional support and services to our valued customers in Poland and mainland Europe.

Anchoring Gratitude: Reflecting on 2023 and Charting Our Course for 2024

As we approach the end of 2023, the MTS team is looking forward to spending time with loved ones and reenergizing by doing the things that mean the most to us, with the people who mean the most to us. We wish the same for all of you, even in the midst of a season full of hustle and bustle. 

Captain Don Walsh, USN (Ret), PhD, was well known in oceanographic circles as one half of the team (partnered with Jacques Piccard) that descended 35,840 feet down at Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench in the U.S. Navy's bathyscaph Trieste in 1960. While there was significantly more to his life, the remarkable Trieste story is still told as one of the greatest oceanographic achievements. "The Trieste experience was a life-changing event," Don said. "One that opened many doors and firmly established my lifelong attitude about opportunity - to seize it when and wherever it was encountered."