UK: Oceanology International 2014 – Call for Abstracts Open

The call for abstracts for Oceanology International 2014 (OI 2014), with its eight free-to-attend industry and technical conferences, opened on 15 April, and has a closing date of 30 August 2013. Held every two years, Oceanology International is the world’s largest exhibition showcasing marine science and ocean technology solutions and the 7,210 m² exhibition is already 85% full.

The eight topics to be covered by conferences at Oceanology International 2014 at London’s ExCeL between Tuesday 11 and Thursday 13 March 2014 are Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Showcase; Underwater Security; Marine Renewables – Survey, Installation and Maintenance; Underwater Positioning and Metrology; Underwater Communications (an introduction for 2014); Hydrography and Geophysics – Offshore Site Investigations; Ocean Observing Systems; and Oil and Gas – Operating in Extreme Environments. Additionally, there will be panel discussions on three topics new to Oceanology International that are set to drive demand for marine technology in the near future – aquaculture, ballast water, and subsea mining.

As in 2012, Oceanology International 2014 will be preceded by the Catch The Next Wave conference on Monday 10 March, which will continue the exploration of new scientific discoveries, disruptive and emergent technologies, such as novel power solutions, new materials, nanotechnology, developments in robotics and artificial intelligence, and how they may profoundly influence the ocean technologies of the future.

“Not only are we asking for abstracts to be submitted, but also for input on three other key points – topics that individuals would like to see covered in the conference; speakers they would particularly like to hear from; and projects they would like to see featured,” explains Exhibition Director, James Coleman of Reed Exhibitions Ltd. “This sort of feedback is essential to ensure that OI achieves its objective of meeting needs across the extensive and global marine science and technology audience – OI attracts attendance from over 70 countries, including exhibitors from 35 different nations.

“We are delighted that once again, Professor Ralph Rayner is our overall conference chairman; and that so many key players in the relevant sectors have agreed to chair their sectoral event during OI 2014, indeed our list of chairs reads like an industry ‘who’s who’.

“Dr Bob Allwood, Chief Executive of our Learned Society Patron, the Society for Underwater Technology will chair the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Showcase; Professor Michael Bruno, Dean, Stevens Institute of Technology, USA and Justin Crump, CEO, Sibyline Risk and Security Consultancy, UK will co-chair Underwater Security; and Alan Moore, OBE, Non-Executive Director, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and Chairman of Ventus 2VCT plc will co-chair Marine Renewables – Survey Installation and Maintenance with Phil Durrant, Managing Director, Gardline Environmental and Co-Chair, Marine Industries Liaison Group.

“Moving on to Underwater Communications we have Andy Bowen, Director of National Deep Submergence Facility, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA; and Simon Partridge, Engineering Director, Sonardyne International, UK as co-chairs; Andy Hill, Marine Geohazard Technical Authority, BP Exploration, will once again co-chair the Hydrography and Geophysics conference, this time with Toby Powell, Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Subsea 7; and Zdenka Willis, Director, NOAA Integrated Ocean Observation will return to co-chair the Ocean Observing Systems conference with Dr David Mills, Programme Director, Marine Observatories, CEFAS. Other conference chairs will be announced shortly.”

The conference chairman’s view

Professor Ralph Rayner looks back to the early days of Oceanology International, in order to look forward to the highly comprehensive and topical conference for OI 2014: “Much has changed in the world of ocean technology since the first Oceanology International way back in 1969,” he says. “Indeed much of the technology that we now take for granted was the stuff of science fiction.

“While the scientific needs for some of these technologies were evident in 1969, the societal and business drivers were more difficult to anticipate. Offshore oil and gas was in its infancy whereas today we have a vast industry placing ever greater demands on technological capacity to operate safely, economically and without harm to the environment in hostile waters and at extreme depths. The enormous marine renewable energy potential demands data and information to support design and operation of an array of marine renewable energy devices.

“A growing aquaculture industry requires technologies to support its operations and monitor and manage its impacts. High commodity prices are driving a resurgence of interest in ocean mining creating exciting new applications for ocean technologies.

“As OI continuously evolves in recognition of emerging technologies and the need to satisfy new scientific, societal and business needs, the 2014 content programme will see inclusion of new technology strands such as underwater communications as well as new topical panels covering aquaculture, ballast water and seabed mining.

“Whether you are a technologist seeking to understand new applications, a scientist looking into the latest technological tools to support your research or represent an industry that requires ocean data and information to support its business needs, the OI conferences will connect you with new ideas and opportunities. I’m glad to announce the call for abstracts will open on 15 April. We sincerely welcome your contribution to the Oceanology International 2014 conferences.”

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Press Release, April 16, 2013