Getting involved in the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainability

2020 highlighted a year of civil unrest with racial injustices at its forefront. Well known to many, the summer of 2020 featured the unfortunate incident of a Black birder being threatened simply for trying to bird in central park. Sparking an eerie shared experience, a group of Black birders founded #BlackBirdersWeek. Aiming to dispel the myth that Black birders don’t exist, the week took social media by storm and other STEM disciplines started their own virtual movements. A tweet that has now received over 300 likes, by Dr. Tiara Moore started the foundation for #BlackInMarineScienceWeek, with organizers quickly responding and developing a committee. The week ran November 29-Dec 5, 2020 and made a huge impact globally. With over 1 million social media engagements, hundreds of participants, 50 panelists, 35 sponsors (including the Marine Technology Society), and 14 organizers, the inaugural #BlackInMarineScienceWeek turned out better than what was ever expected!

The book on CD-ROM, Operational Effectiveness of Unmanned Underwater Systems (OEUUS), was published in 1998 by the MTS ROV Committee and has been on sale by MTS for the last 20 years. Recently, the ROV Committee chair, Chuck Richards, decided to make it available for free on line due to the historical perspective it presents on the technology. The OEUSS was produced to provide guidance and information to those who use, plan to use, or are just interested in unmanned underwater systems and their associated technology. The publication’s 600 pages provide a discussion of the systems and what can be expected of them. In essence, it explains what they are, what they can and cannot do, where they are operating and how successful they are, what you should be aware of and what can be expected in the future. It provides an understanding of the “operational effectiveness of unmanned underwater systems.”

We are happy to announce that after the review and adoption of the proposed changes to our Bylaws, the Marine Technology Society will be launching three new initiatives aimed at engaging Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP).

For Immediate Release -

Founder and Senior Analyst of Strikepod Systems -

Scientist G and Head of Ocean Observation Systems, National Institute of Ocean Technology Ministry of Earth Sciences, Chennai, India -

Recognizing Her Outstanding, Sustained, International Contribution To The Development, Application, And Propagation Of Marine Technology Toward The Advancement Of Ocean Exploration

Earlier this month, MTS spoke one-on-one with Dr. Kathryn Sullivan - the only person to have walked in space and descend to the deepest point in the oceans, The Challenger Deep – about her experience diving to the deepest point on Earth; some  of the challenges and opportunities she has faced along the way, and  her thoughts about the future of scientific exploration and discovery.

MTS Member and CEO of The Society for Underwater Technology -

The Marine Technology Society Announces Its 2020 Award Recipients