Several Senate Committees announced subcommittee leadership and rosters

While the House was in recess last week, the Senate continued to organize committees and focus on judicial nominations. Although the legislative load is light at the moment, March is poised to be the beginning of Congress’ busy season with appropriations, the budget, and Farm Bill negotiations gearing up.

The President’s Budget is expected to be released on March 9, but appropriators aren’t letting that slow their plans. We are hearing that House subcommittees will be aiming for a mid-March deadline for member requests, with the Senate to follow shortly after with an early-April deadline. Negotiations are continuing among House Republicans regarding guidelines for earmarks in this appropriations cycle.

Several Senate Committees announced subcommittee leadership and rosters:

MTS welcomes three new organizational members in February

Join us in welcoming three new organizational members to the Marine Technology Society! Jumping on board is Sea & Shoreline LLC, Integrated Systems Solutions, Inc., and Guide Star Engineering LLC.

About Sea & Shoreline
Sea & Shoreline joins MTS with a mission to restore aquatic ecosystems, taking dirty, mucky, algae-dominated bodies of water, and turning them into beautiful, healthy, clean, clear, sustainable ecosystems that support plants, fish, animals, anglers, ecotourism, and local economies.

In response to the high incidence of Florida manatees perishing from starvation due to disappearing seagrass meadows, their primary food source, Sea & Shoreline has launched a new campaign titled Seagrass Saves Sea Life. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness and educate consumers and legislators on the positive environmental and ecological benefits of seagrass, and to provide updates on current projects underway to restore seagrass in Florida's waterways.

About Integrated Systems Solutions
Integrated Systems Solutions, Inc. (ISS) is a service disabled, veteran-owned business (SDVOSB) that provides high-value professional services in program management, communications and outreach, IT Services, requirements management, systems engineering and technical services.

ISS represents a wide range of federal, civilian, defense and state agencies, which include NOAA, NASA, USPTO, VA, USAF and more.

About Guide Star Engineering
Guide Star Engineering (GSE) is a high-technology Engineering Services Company that specializes in hardware and software engineering design, research and development, systems testing, and systems integration in diversified industrial and government markets. GSE supports clients in Construction, Industrial Automation, Defense/Aerospace, Information/Communication Technology and Ocean Engineering with engineering services that include management, design, development, prototyping and production.

GSE recently developed a Miniature Digital Hydrophone (MDH) Project for students to learn about the underwater world through sound. The MDH helps students make first-hand discovery of what's happening beneath the waves. Students can use the MDH to record sounds from a fish tank, a pool, or the open ocean, and use open-source software to listen and visualize the sounds.

MATE Inspiration for Innovation is pleased to announce an exciting new program – Scholarships for MATE ROV Competition Teams!

Scholarships for MATE ROV Competition Teams is intended to support the development of new student teams – as well as the re-development of teams impacted by the pandemic – with a focus on underserved audiences and fostering DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in the ocean workforce talent pipeline.

In addition to SeaMATE ROV starter kits, cameras and accessories, tools, and power supplies, Scholarships for MATE ROV Competition Teams includes the opportunity for new RANGER, PIONEER, and EXPLORER class teams advancing to the MATE World Championship to apply for travel stipends to support their participation. This year’s World Championship is taking place June 20-24, 2023 at the St. Vrain Valley School District in Longmont, Colorado, USA (home of the MATE Rocky Mountain Regional ROV Competition!).

Scholarships for MATE ROV Competition Teams is funded by the Schmidt Ocean Coalition, which is part of the family of philanthropic organizations and initiatives started by Eric and Wendy Schmidt and includes Schmidt Ocean Institute, 11th Hour Racing, and Schmidt Marine Technology Partners / The Schmidt Family Foundation.


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How to apply
Visit this link to complete the application. Priority will be given to new teams that effectively demonstrate how they involve underserved audiences and contribute to diversity in the ocean workforce pipeline.

Deadline
Priority screening will begin February 1, 2023. However, this is an on-going program so applications will be accepted and reviewed at throughout the year.

Questions
Please direct initial inquiries to your Regional Coordinator. You can also reach out to MATE Inspiration for Innovation Executive Director Jill Zande | [email protected]

Ocean Business announces exhibitor list for 2023 show

With just two months to go until Ocean Business 2023, more details can be revealed about the line-up of exhibitors at the global technology and science exhibition for marine industries.

More than 300 world leading manufacturers and service providers shaping the future of ocean science and technology have booked space at the sold-out show, which runs from April 18-20 at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton.

The three-day event is open to all visitors for free by registering online at www.oceanbusiness.com.

This year’s exhibition, covering two halls and including a full programme of training and demonstrations on the dockside, on board vessels and in the classroom, promises to attract record crowds from around the world.

Visitors will be able to see the latest developments in transformational ocean technology, from cutting edge ROVs, to next generation sensors, to advances in automation.

Among the highlights, Framework Robotics is launching its new remotely operated vehicle, BUDDY, which can be adjusted to suit any mission, from exploration to surveying, inspection and more.

Leading UK scientific technology company ANB Sensors will present its state-of-the-art pH sensors, which operate to depths of 1,250m in fresh or saltwater environments, are virtually maintenance-free and allow for long-term remote monitoring.

Subsea cable specialist Novacavi, meanwhile, will provide updates on its range of solutions designed to meet the most complex needs of marine and underwater technology – expertise that has seen the company support projects from upgrading the infrastructure of the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and Water Column Observatory, to supplying the INGV National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology with cables deployed at 4,000m to monitor the sea.

UK company RoboSys Automation, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to provide scalable levels of autonomy, will introduce its smart shipping software, Voyager AI, that can transform a new or existing vessel into a fully autonomous USV.

Also taking a stand at Ocean Business is Terradepth, the company spearheading seafloor hydrographic and geophysical survey solutions through unique autonomous underwater vehicle technology. Find out more about Terradepth’s high resolution data collection and its data management and visualisation system, Absolute Ocean.

Tom Chant, CEO of the Society of Maritime Industries, said: ‘Ocean Business is simply an essential event for the MST sector. If you cut Ocean Business with a knife you’d see ‘collaboration and innovation’ written through the heart of it. It’s a really important component supporting the industry turnover of £1.6 billion per annum. We look forward to seeing you there.’

Cheri Arvonio, Event Director at show organiser Diversified Communications, said: ‘Ocean Business 2023 is gearing up to be a bumper show, providing unbeatable opportunities for doing new business, sealing deals, networking and hearing industry updates.

‘We can’t wait to welcome both Ocean Business regulars and first-time show goers for three days of exciting product launches, innovation and ideas from today’s ocean technology trailblazers.’

To see the full exhibitor list, please visit: https://exhibitormanual.oceanbusiness.com/

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Georgia Smith, Marketing Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 916528
e: [email protected]
Website: www.oceanbusiness.com

Cheri Arvonio, Event Director
t: +44 (0)1453 836363
e: [email protected]

About Ocean Business
Ocean Business is a hands-on ocean technology exhibition and training forum which is owned and organised by Diversified Communications UK in partnership with the Society of Maritime Industries. Since its launch in 2007 it has been hosted by the National Oceanography Centre where the event benefits from utilising the facilities of a world class centre. In recent years the event has grown substantially and now attracts over 360 exhibitors and 5000 international attendees. For more information, visit: www.oceanbusiness.com.

About Diversified Communications
Ocean Business is organised by Diversified Communications UK, a fast-growing trade event organiser and publisher based in Brighton and London. Diversified UK’s business portfolio includes Digital Construction Week; GEO Business; Ocean Business; Aquaculture UK; MARELEC Marine Electromagnetics conference; Accountex; Accountex Summit North; SITS – The Service Desk & IT Support Show; British Tourism & Travel Show and more. For more information, visit: www.divcom.co.uk.

It was MTS' Immediate Past President, Zdenka Willis' great pleasure to participate in the MTS TechSurge 2023 - AI for the OCEANS and AIRO-2K23. The MTS TechSurge marked the 175th event for the MTS India section since its inception in 2015 - an amazing accomplishment and much of the efforts focused on motivating and supporting students.

MTS Colleagues,

OCEANS 2022 Hampton Roads saw the inaugural offering of the MTS EMERGE Program, which supports both undergraduate and graduate students as well as early-career ocean professionals (ECOPs). At the event, participants were paired with an experienced mentor to guide them throughout the conference and help expand their professional networks. 

As we continue to move forward from the past two years of global health, economic, and political instability, MTS is striving to strengthen our organization, enrich the quality of services we provide to our community, and enhance the network connections that bring the marine technology ecosystem closer together.

The 2022 Dynamic Positioning Workshop and Conference was held in Houston, TX, October 10 – 12. The Committee was glad to be back in-person following the gap mandated by the pandemic and pleased to see many familiar faces as well as some new folks in attendance.

Among the world’s largest developers and manufacturers of products that measure salinity, temperature, pressure, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence, nutrients, and other parameters, Sea-Bird Scientific is committed to making instruments that scientists can trust. Dedication to accuracy and quality, two factors upon which research and policy decisions rely, ensures their instruments deliver reliable measurements and stand up to some of the harshest conditions on the planet. 

As the Blue Economy expands, MTS leadership continues to seek opportunities to open doors for members. Beyond large gatherings like this month’s successful OCEANS 2022 Hampton Roads conference, targeted opportunities are used to highlight the value MTS and its members deliver. 

MTS has been picking up momentum since OCEANS 2021 in San Diego, and we are now full steam ahead. With record participation at Oceans in Action, MTS Symposium DC, Buoy Conference, and Lakebed 2030, the vibe at OCEANS 2022 Hampton Roads was overwhelmingly positive! For this Navy gal, the conference was a wonderful reunion with so many shipmates. Heartfelt appreciation to Ray Toll, Laura Rogers, Dan Sternlicht, and the entire local organizing committee. Thank you to MCI-USA, Veraprise, and our sponsors, patrons, exhibitors, and attendees. 

MTS Board of Directors Election Results

The Marine Technology Society would like to congratulate the following individuals who will begin their term on the Board of Directors January 1, 2023.

Marine Technology Society's India Section is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the second MTS NANDA STUDENT INNOVATION AWARD for 2023. 

• Two awards (UG/PG) - Rs 20000 each (If found suitable both awards can be given to UG or PG Projects and decision of Jury is final)
• Possible internship at Elektronik Lab India Pvt Ltd, Chennai
• One year fee for student membership for MTS (USD 25).

Who is Eligible?

Indian students are eligible to apply, who are undergoing UG and PG programs from Engineering Colleges, with the guidance of faculty mentors working at Engineering Institutions. Project duration period of maximum of 6 months will be given.

Detailed Abstract of the project in 3 to 5 pages in MS Word format is to be sent to [email protected]. The detailed abstract should contain the following:

The MTS/Oceaneering Symposium returned for its 30th anniversary on September 15. The symposium serves as a kickoff for the MTS Washington DC Section's year ahead and is a signature event for the entire Capital Region maritime community. 

OCEANS 2022 in Hampton Roads, Virginia, is just a few weeks away and the MTS community is buzzing with excitement. OCEANS is a perennially impactful event, and this year promises to be as energetic and exciting as ever. Building on the success of our in-person and virtual programming at OCEANS 2021, we again look forward to welcoming remote and on-site participation from our members, exhibitors, and the broader marine technology community!

On September 9, scientists from a wide variety of STEM fields converged at the George Mason University Potomac Science Center for a one-day conference of the MTS Bioinspired Marine Systems Committee, sponsored by MTS and the George Mason University Department of Physics and Astronomy. 

MTS AND SUT ANNOUNCE WINNER OF THE 2022 CAPTAIN DON WALSH AWARD FOR OCEAN EXPLORATION