Oceans in Action is the premier Gulf Coast regional marine technology event focusing on emerging technologies. This year, the event will be combined with the Port Security Summit and will bring together representatives from the federal, state, local levels of government as well as private organizations for exhibits, presentations, and pier-side demonstrations. The event is being held in association with the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise and the Port of Gulfport. Featured speakers and topics include:  Laura Bowie, Gulf of Mexico Alliance, Joseph (Joe) Spraggins, Mississippi Dept of Marine Resources, Dr. Robert Moorhead, Mississippi State University Programs, Dr. Shannon Campbell, University of Southern Mississippi Programs, Jamie Miller, Mississippi Development Authority (MDA). And attend Tech Talks on Advanced Imaging Systems for Machine Vision, Wave Killer Systems Port Protection Perimeter Walls, and Location-Specific Storm Surge and Wind Data.  CHECK OUT THE FULL SCHEDULE & REGISTRATION INFO HERE!

The Early Career Ocean Professionals Section is now accepting nominations for five open positions. Nominations must be submitted by May 31. The open positions are: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Outreach Coordinator. MTS members may nominate candidates for the open positions through 11:59 p.m. EST on May 31, 2021. Self-nominations are permitted and encouraged. Once nominees are submitted, the election will begin on June 1. A ECOP Town Hall meeting to meet the candidates and discuss ECOPs initiatives will be held June 10. REGISTER HERE to attend.

MTS now offers a Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) membership category. ECOP members are defined as “an individual who is within 10 years of their last professional degree and self-identified as an ECOP.” This membership ($50) will come with all the rights and privileges of Society membership. To foster outreach and engagement with our new ECOP section, each month in Currents, we will introduce you to some of our newest ECOP members.

This year, the OCEANS 2021 San Diego and OCEANS 2021 Porto conferences have combined and are thrilled to welcome you to the hybrid event, Global OCEANS 2021: San Diego – Porto. Visit HERE to view the letters from the general chairs of the two combined events. 

This month MTS learned of the loss of Nanda Kumar, who served as Secretary of the MTS India Section. Known for his honest and energetic personality, Nanda helped found the MTS India Section and was the founder of the company Elekronik Lab, a marine communications and navigations company based in Chennai.

Nominate a colleague for the prestigious Walter Munk Scholar Award and the honorable Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration. The Walter Munk Scholar Award is jointly sponsored and awarded by the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans (WMFO) and the Marine Technology Society (MTS).  The Award is presented annually to a scholar currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or postdoctoral program. It recognizes their outstanding contributions in areas fostered by the sponsoring organizations. Established in 2019, the Award honors Walter Munk’s legacy of daring exploration and discovery through ocean scientific and technology research, ocean education or ocean conservation.

Beginning with the May/June issue, Alicia Gorton, project manager and ocean engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), will serve a three-year term as editor for the Marine Technology Society Journal. “As a member of the editorial board since 2019, and as an expert in the marine science field, Alicia will continue to elevate the publication through her knowledge and dedication to ocean science,” said Lisel Hotaling, MTS Vice President of Publications and Communications.

OTC where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters. Join us for this hybrid conference, 16-19 August, Houston, TX. Registration open now! https://2021.otcnet.org/register

OTC is now accepting paper proposals for the 2022 event! Abstracts are due 14 September 2021 and must be submitted online. https://2021.otcnet.org/technical-program/2022-call-for-papers.  The program committee is seeking abstracts on all topics related to the offshore sector, with a focus on the enhanced role of digital solutions, the energy transition, best practices in lowering carbon footprint in operations, and new areas of opportunity.

MTS is a proud sponsor of this event, and we are honor and celebrate the top eight teams from the finals competition. Congratulations to all!

The American Blue Economy Podcast, launched in April on the American Shoreline Podcast Network, a Coastal News Today production. Retired Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, PhD, CEO of Ocean STL Consulting hosts the monthly podcast. Admiral Gallaudet is the former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy NOAA Administrator, and before that Oceanographer of the Navy.

Episode 2 discusses the Marine Transportation System and how to make it more sustainable. The series covers transportation, tourism, sustainable seafood, coastal resilience, and mapping. Topics include: national security, STEM education and workforce development, and diversity.

SeaState talks with Dr. Jake Kritzer, Executive Director of NERACOOS, about Ocean Observations.

DOWNLOAD EPISODES AND LISTEN HERE

Episode 35: Managing Waterways Along the Suwannee River in Florida

Did you know that the Suwanee River Water Management District is responsible for managing the water supply, water quality, flood protection, and natural systems in a 15-county area of Florida including 13 different river basins, and over 450 springs? They do all of this with a core team of 66 staff members and a variety of hydrologic monitoring equipment from Teledyne RD Instruments. On this episode of the podcast we have an interesting and fun discussion with Tara Rogers and Kevin Jones on the scope of their work, areas of responsibility, challenging operating conditions, and how important the data they collect is to residents and even the National Weather Service. For more information on the work that Tara, Kevin, and the team at the Suwannee River Water Management district are doing to monitor and protect the rivers and springs in their district, visit their website at www.mysuwanneeriver.com.

Coastal News Today this month launched its latest addition to American Shoreline Podcast Network (coastalnewstoday.com). The American Blue Economy Podcast will air monthly and be hosted by retired Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, PhD, CEO of Ocean STL Consulting. Admiral Gallaudet is the former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy NOAA Administrator, and before that Oceanographer of the Navy.

A 2020 study by the Wall Street Journal examining diversity and inclusion among S&P 500 companies found that diverse organizations achieved higher productivity and innovation. Diversity creates adaptability, which furthers nonlinear thinking patterns and leads to innovation. In the field of ocean science and technology, diversity, collaboration, and innovation are essential for advancement. 

Now more than ever, amid the hardships surrounding the global pandemic, organizations should be focused on diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace. Inclusiveness drives economic growth, industry expansion, and can be an competitive advantage. “Companies in the top quartile for ethnic and racial diversity in management were 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry mean, and gender-diverse companies are 21% more likely to earn more revenue,” according to a McKinsey report. 

MTS and The Ocean Exchange’s Blue Economy webcast series is getting noticed! More than 250 people have joined us to learn more about the various facets of the Blue Economy. Here’s what participants are saying:

Visit the MTS Career Center

Oceans in Action is the premier Gulf Coast regional marine technology event focusing on emerging technologies. This year, the event will be combined with the Port Security Summit and will bring together representatives from the federal, state, local levels of government as well as private organizations for exhibits, presentations, and pier-side demonstrations. The event is being held in association with the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise and the Port of Gulfport. CHECK OUT THE FULL SCHEDULE & REGISTRATION INFO HERE!

MTS provides opportunities for its ECOP community to further advance their career through capacity development, training, and networking opportunities. ECOPs are professionals starting their career and making connections in the ocean science field.

The deadline to submit your papers for Global OCEANS 2021 has officially been EXTENDED to Sunday, May 9! 

Don’t miss out on this extra opportunity to present your conducted innovative research to a broader audience.