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

Dialogues with Industry: How can industry, science and government together advance ocean observing for 2030?

Have you voted? I have! Voting for our next President Elect; Vice President for Early Career Ocean Professionals; Vice President for Government and Public Affairs; and Vice President of Education is open through 5:00 p.m. EST on October 18, 2022. This is your opportunity to shape the future of MTS.   

Now in its fourth year of operation, MTS member Terradepth aims to enhance humanity’s interaction with the ocean, support maritime operations across key sectors, and advance both scientific insight and the sustainable future of our planet. 

On August 25, MTS's India Section celebrated the inauguration of its newest student section, Sri SaiRam Engineering College in Chennai. This induction marks the 10th MTS student section in India and serves as a testament to the strength of our India Section. We want to especially recognize the leadership of Dr. R. Venkatesan. In his role as chairman for MTS's India Section, Venkat has worked to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

When MTS was launched in 1963, the founders set up a system of geographical sections and topical committees for members to self-select into. One can imagine they saw this structure as a mechanism to coalesce the diverse and growing membership around areas of interest—to support the small group interactions and conversation needed to move the landscape of marine technology forward.

New England Section Elects New Leadership

The New England Section held elections for the section officer positions and we are pleased to welcome the following section officers:

Message from MTS President

As I write this note, the world has converged in Lisbon, Portugal for the UN Ocean Conference. Co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal, it is an important event that highlights the importance of the world coming together for global ocean action. MTS has published its second UN Decade focused UN Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development which is open access – check it out on the MTS website.

Let me start by echoing Chris’, MTS Executive Director, congratulations for Past President Drew Michel’s OTC Distinguished Achievement Award. A well-deserved honor! Thank you to our MTS Houston section for all their efforts at OTC. It was great to see many folks in person and we look forward to next year as OTC rebounds to pre-pandemic levels.

Earlier this month Chris, Jim Hanlon (VP Industry, Technology and Research and Halifax local) and Justin Manley (President Elect) represented MTS at the H2O Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Including 600+ delegates from more than two dozen nations, the conference highlights the growing and vibrant Canadian marine technology ecosystem and explores cross-cutting technology topics of key interest to the community, including offshore energy, environmental monitoring, and marine transportation. The Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia (OTCNS) hosts the annual event; MTS and IEEE/OES are working closely with OTCNS leadership to explore a partnership in the fall of 2024 when OCEANS returns to Halifax.

The marine technology ecosystem in Halifax continues to deliver impact across Atlantic Canada and beyond; anchored by the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE), Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, Dalhousie University, and dozens of companies and non-governmental organizations. MTS members in the region have taken the initial steps to re-activate the Halifax section and we are excited to see the groundswell of interest, from students, early career ocean professionals, and established members of the field in supporting the marine technology ecosystem in Nova Scotia.

Since my last column I would like to welcome the 100+ new students, individuals, and ECOPs from Oceans in Action and OCEANS in Chennai. Also welcome aboard to our new business members:

There are four positions open for the 2022 MTS Board Elections: President-Elect, Vice President of Early Career Ocean Professionals, Vice President of Education, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs. MTS members may nominate candidates for the open positions through 11:59 p.m. EST on June 15, 2022. 

Submit your nominations HERE