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." 

MTS REFLECTS ON A YEAR OF INNOVATION AND GROWTH IN 2023

As we approach the end of another eventful year, I am thrilled to take a moment to celebrate the remarkable growth and successes that have shaped MTS in 2023. One of the most significant accomplishments has been the successful integration of the MATE ROV Competition into our diverse lineup of programs. This strategic move has not only expanded our outreach but has also fostered a new dimension of innovation and learning within the field of marine technology. It also expands our community deep into the next generation of technical professionals. We are now shaping future generations of marine technologists while supporting those already in the field.

Charting the Course for MTS: A Year of Growth, Innovation, and Community Engagement

Fall is a busy time rich with engagement throughout the MTS community and this year was no exception. Our headquarters team had the chance to connect and visit with members at OCEANS 2023 Gulf Coast, Lakebed 2030, the Dynamic Positioning Committee Conference, and the 31st Annual Oceaneering/MTS Symposium. These in-person events, and others like them throughout the year, provide an unrivaled opportunity to deepen connection, share conversation, and build the relationships that strengthen our marine technology community.

In its second year, the Marine Technology Society (MTS) EMERGE (Emerging Leaders in Marine Technology) program provided critical support for promising ocean professionals to attend the OCEANS Gulf Coast 2023 Conference. This year, the program expanded to 14 participants and included attendees from all backgrounds: community college students, early career professionals, graduate students, and undergraduate students.

Charting a Course for Success: Reflections on OCEANS Gulf Coast and the Path Forward for MTS

Late September brought a very busy week at MTS/IEEE  OCEANS Gulf Coast. I am thrilled to share that it was a highlight of the year for our Society. OCEANS is an embodiment of MTS’s mission, bringing together the marine technology community, including developers and users, in a vibrant exchange of ideas and expertise.

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9.25.2023

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9.18.2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2023

Thank you to all members who took the time to vote for the 2023 MTS Board of Directors Election. Our membership has selected Steve Hall to serve a three-year term as our VP of Communications and Publications. Congratulations, Steve, and welcome to our Board! We look forward to the valuable contributions you will make in this role. Your leadership will undoubtably guide us toward new heights of excellence.

[ MTS Member Spotlight: AlphaGeo UK ]

What part of your MTS membership has your organization found the most valuable?
We had a great time participating in Ocean Business 23 and have already registered for the 2025 show! At the event, we were joined by two key suppliers, Tersus and Hydro-Tech, who showcased their cutting-edge products in the marine technology sector. Ocean Business provided us with the opportunity to engage with fantastic companies, like-minded individuals, and highlight our expertise and knowledge in the industry. We're eagerly looking forward to the amazing experience once again in 2025!

The SRM Institute of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the MTS India Section, ASCE India Section Southern Region, MTS SRM Student Section, and ASCE SRM Student Chapter, successfully hosted the School Project Expo 2023. This event served as a platform for young minds in grades 6-12 from various parts of Tamil Nadu to showcase their innovative projects. Taking place on August 4, 2023, at Faraday Hall, the expo aimed to celebrate students' skills, knowledge, and accomplishments across diverse fields. 

MTS along with the Global Ocean Observing System and NOAA hosted a side event titled “Shaping the Ocean Enterprise to Deliver Essential Societal, Economic, and Environmental Benefits.”  This event was part of a series of activities to continue to promote the importance of ocean observing and how industry can partner more effectively with government, through the MTS/GOOS/NOAA Dialogues with Industry.

Participants will learn about the history, developments and advancements in buoy and mooring technology to address the needs of a changing world.

The Marine Technology Society (MTS) is thrilled to announce plans for the 2024 MTS Buoy Workshop on May 20-23, 2024, at the 7 Cedars Casino in Sequim, Washington! This bi-annual workshop provides a valuable opportunity for professionals and researchers in the marine technology and oceanographic fields to come together, exchange knowledge, and discuss advancements in buoy technology.

Dr. Peter Girguis

Dr Peter Girguis, Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and Adjunct Oceanographer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, described by his peers as ‘the epitome of a deep-sea explorer’ and ‘a man for all ocean seasons”, has been announced the winner of the 2023 Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration by the Marine Technology Society (MTS) and the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT).

On August 1, 2023, 18 ocean experts began their appointment as members of the Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP). The 18 ORAP members include representatives from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, ocean industries, state, tribal, territorial or local governments, and academia. Among the 18 individuals chosen is Chris Ostrander, Marine Technology Society (MTS) Chief Executive Officer. 

MTS and MATE II - It's Official! 

We are thrilled to announce the integration of MATE Inspiration for Innovation (MATE II) and its signature program, the MATE ROV Competition, into the society's lineup of program offerings. This integration will foster connection and bridge the gap between today's professionals and future innovators in marine technology.