Dear Members and friends of the Society for Underwater Technology. It’s now 8 weeks since I started as Chief Executive, and I’d like to give you an update on what I’ve been doing, and have planned for the next few weeks as we approach the northern hemisphere summer.

My first week at SUT coincided with our attendance at Ocean Business 17 which was held at the UK’s National Oceanography Centre. It provided an excellent opportunity to be introduced to our member companies exhibiting there, and individual members visiting the show. I attended the meeting of the joint SUT – ECOR (engineering committee on ocean resources) Panel on Underwater Robotics, chaired by Neil Bose from the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania, and look forward to being able to contribute my knowledge on marine policy and legal aspects of autonomous vehicle operations to the Panel in future.

On the Friday of that first week I was invited to the Diving Museum, Gosport to attend the unveiling of their exhibit of the world’s oldest diving helmet by John Deane, on loan from the Science Museum of London. SUT have been enthusiastic supporters of the work of the Diving Museum, and I very much recommend calling by to say hello if you are visiting the south coast of England. The museum houses a unique collection of equipment, from the earliest days of ‘barrel diving’ (for salvage operations) through to modern sport diving, hard-hat diving, military operations and diving in support of the offshore energy sector. Housed in a Victorian gun battery, it’s a short drive from the Submarine Museum at HMS Dolphin, which also features a collection of deep diving equipment such as a diving bell and submarine rescue vehicle.

Back at the office for my second week saw my first chance to get to know our London-based staff Jane, Cheryl and Emily better, learn the office systems, and engage with the committee that’s putting together the Offshore Site Investigation and Geotechnics (OSIG) 8^th international conference in 12-14^th September “Smarter Solutions for Future Offshore Developments”. There’s a first-rate programme coming together and it promises to an excellent event that SUT is proud to be supporting. SUT’s Council also met in my second week in the new role, it’s a very different experience as the Chief Executive rather than as a Council Member!

In the third week I attended the London and South East England branch evening meeting ‘Recent developments in the technology of subsea valves for critical applications’ and met the branch members. Next up was my first overseas visit since joining SUT, to attend the Offshore Technology Conference 2017 in Houston. This was suggested by our Chair of Council as a good way to ensure a SUT presence at OTC and an opportunity to meet the Houston Branch. It was a delight to meet up with the SUT Houston core staff Patsy, Anna and Araceli and Chair Professor Zenon Medina-Cetina, and branch member John Allen was an excellent local guide at the enormous OTC complex. Whilst there I was able to hold meetings on decommissioning with Roger Esson of Decom North Sea, discuss US energy policy with a senior staff member of the US Department of Energy, and meet representatives of SUT corporate members including Jukes Group, Wood Group and Castrol. Evening meetings took place with members of the Houston branch committee, and with the local staff. I felt very welcomed and look forward to a long and productive time working with our US colleagues.

I was particularly impressed by the connections our US members have built up with the universities to encourage the next generation, and was honoured to meet Professor Fathi Ghorbel at Rice University, and with student Marissa Malinoski who takes a lead with the Galveston section of our Texas A&M university student chapter. The Galveston visit was also an opportunity to see the superb outreach and education facility of the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum and Education Center – it would be wonderful to have such a facility open to the public in the UK too! Overall I learned a great deal from visiting the Houston Branch and look forward to rolling out best practise observed at all of our branches across the SUT family.

Upon my return from Houston it was straight to Glasgow to attend ‘All-Energy’ where SUT is the Learned Society Patron. Again an opportunity to meet our staff, this time Jacqui and Emma from the Aberdeen Office, as well as a number of our Scotland-based members. I was invited to attend the prestigious energy leader’s dinner at the City Chambers, met many of the leading lights of the renewable energy sector, and the highlight was to present the SUT’s Lennard-Senior Award to Tim Cornelius, CEO of Atlantis Resources Ltd, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to promoting tidal energy. It was good to meet up with SUT’s friend and great supporter Judith Patten MBE during All-Energy, and I look forward to a continued relationship with the growing world of offshore renewables.

Back to London and an enjoyable meeting with our friends at Reed Exhibitions to discuss SUT’s continued involvement with the Oceanology International series of events. We’ll be playing a key role in the conference sessions at OI China in Qingdao in November 2017 and London in the New Year. I also attended the Diving and Manned Submersibles Committee meeting on board HQS Wellington on 17^th May, and the London & South East England branch ‘Lunch at Learn’ about underwriting offshore renewables risks kindly hosted at Charles Taylor PLC on the 19^th.

In the next weeks I’ll continue to ‘learn the ropes’ about how the Society works, continue meeting branch members, and promote SUT on social media (follow SUT on Facebook , LinkedIn & Twitter @SUT_news, or my own feed @saltwatersteve) and at meetings and conferences. As a follow-up from a new contact met at ‘All-Energy’ I’ve been invited to speak on deep sea mining, marine genetic resources and rising technologies at the ‘Blue Economy’ conference in Marseilles 30-31 May with SUT’s costs covered by the organisers.

I’m visiting Aberdeen branch at the start of June to attend their monthly branch meeting and get to learn more about the sector there. Later in June I’ll be attending the Assembly and Executive Council of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, where I’ll come to the end of my two year term as Vice Chair, a role I was elected to when I was Head of the UK’s delegation. Although SUT is not a country and so has no vote at a UN body, we are an Observer Member of UNESCO-IOC in recognition of our strong education and outreach role, and I’m sure we’ll continue to play an active part in the global ‘ocean literacy’ movement. In particular the Member States value our role as a rare voice for industry in the international ocean science, governance and policy world so SUT is helping to ensure that the needs of our members and supporters are fed-in to development of global ocean stewardship, sustainable development under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and wealth creation from ocean resources.

Lots more goes on of course than I’ve highlighted here, and I’d like to say thank you to my staff who have adjusted admirably to having to put up with a new CEO while they are very busy in their day to day roles running the society. I’d like to pay tribute too to the amazing effort put in by our volunteers in the various committees and branches. SUT’s greatest strength are the talented women & men who make it run and adapt to a rapidly changing world.  More news from me towards the end of June.

Thank you for your continuing support. Steve Hall, 22^nd May 2017 [email protected]

Dear members & friends of SUT, allow me to introduce myself, Steve Hall. I started as the new CEO of the Society for Underwater Technology at the start of April after Dr Bob Allwood’s retirement, and following a first week attending the Ocean Business trade show in Southampton am now settling in at the London office. As some of you will know I’ve been a member (eventually Fellow) of SUT since the 1990s, mainly supporting our education activities, presenting at the Christmas lectures, and serving as a member of Council, including stints as Chair and Hon Secretary. It will be quite a different kind of role as Chief Executive, I’m very happy indeed to have been appointed, and am looking forward to working with the global SUT family to help deliver a modern, international Learned Society that promotes the further understanding of the underwater environment and encourages the sharing of ideas, best practice, research, techniques and tools to explore the ocean and harvest resources in a responsible manner.

My own background is in ocean science, technology and policy. I worked for the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council for over 26 years, ending up as head of the International & Strategic Partnerships Office at the National Oceanography Centre, where I was also head of the UK’s delegation to UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, where I was elected vice-chair in 2015. Over the last decade I’ve helped the UK, EU and UN system develop policy on marine autonomous systems, marine spatial planning, decommissioning, tsunami warning systems, fisheries reform, oil spill response, data management and many other areas of ocean governance & policy. Before that my career included time as programme manager for ‘Autosub’ AUV science missions, conducting tracer chemistry analysis at sea as part of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment, acting as the schools and colleges liaison officer, interaction with Learned Societies and Professional Bodies and an early phase of my career in a small private sector survey company and as a hydrocarbons specialist for HM Customs and Excise.

SUT enables me to bring all of this broad experience to the service of our members, as we face a rapidly changing world where the ocean will be increasingly where humankind looks for living space, energy, food resources, minerals and security. It’s a wonderful time to be working with the global ocean science, engineering, education and policy community and I look forward to engaging with you all in the coming years. Email me at [email protected] , follow me on Twitter as @saltwatersteve and at @sut_news

– ‘Can a Lobster be an Archaeologist’ aims to ignite interest in underwater career opportunities-

The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) has launched a campaign to get its illustrated children’s book into primary schools with the support of Subsea 7.

Subsea 7 has provided an Aberdeen school with copies of SUT’s educational book, ‘Can a Lobster be an Archaeologist – Quirky Questions and Fascinating Facts about the Underwater World’ which is aimed at growing interest in the exciting variety of careers on offer under the waves.

Primary 5 pupils at Hazlehead Primary School, who recently studied sea life as a topic, were each given a copy of the book thanks to a corporate donation from Subsea 7. SUT is calling on support from other companies to help them roll the book out in schools across the city.

The book, aimed at 10-14 year-olds, takes its name from a true story about Larry the lobster who helped divers discover a missing 8,000-year-old Stone Age civilisation near the Isle of Wight. The 150-page book has been drafted by SUT members who are marine scientists, divers, subsea engineers, academics and from the merchant navy.

It covers topics such as:

• Why do ships go missing in the Bermuda Triangle?
• Are lake monsters real and do werewolves exist in the Arctic Sea?
• How to build an underwater robot
• Filming underwater movies
• Whirlpools and discovering treasures from sunken ships
• Where rubbish goes when it’s dumped at sea.
• Could living under the sea be an alternative to relocating to Mars?
• What will happen when the ice caps melt?

Dr Bob Allwood, CEO of SUT and one of the authors said: “It’s a challenging time for many sectors at the moment, but it’s important that we continue to inspire school pupils and show them all of the possibilities that are open to them in a way that brings to life all of the wonders of working underwater. I would like to thank Subsea 7 for the generous contribution in providing these books to the children and we would welcome support from other organisations to help roll this out to as many schools as we can.”

Subsea 7’s Stuart Inglis, who is also a member of SUT+, added: “This is a great initiative for both Subsea 7 and SUT to be involved with as it is important we all inspire young pupils to learn more about the oceans. It has been really encouraging to hear the pupils talk about what they have already studied in class and hopefully, with these quirky stories, they will continue to learn about what goes on under the water.”

Companies interested in getting involved with the campaign can find out more information by contacting: [email protected]. The book has been funded by SUT, which is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. All proceeds from the book go towards SUT’s Educational Support Fund, set up to help young people pursue learning and development opportunities. ‘Can a Lobster be an Archaeologist?’ retails at £12.99 and can be purchased from Amazon and www.sut.org.

SUT is also hosting its annual Christmas Lectures at the end of the year for primary and secondary school pupils. Teachers interested in attending should contact: [email protected]

Buy the paperback book now!

We are delighted to introduce Nicola Henderson who joined the team as our new Events Manager at the start of the New Year.  Based in our Aberdeen office, Nicola is responsible for the operation of all the Society’s events within the UK, in addition to providing support for our very active Aberdeen Branch.  Previously, Nicola worked for British Land plc in London and, prior to that, prosource.it in Aberdeen whose clients are predominantly in the oil and gas industry.  She replaces Kirsty Webster who has moved on to a new challenging post based in Glasgow.

The authors, illustrator and editor gather for a photo.

 

On 24th November 2015 the Society for Underwater Technology held our first–ever launch of a book aimed at younger readers, “Can a Lobster be a Archaeologist?”, kindly hosted at the premises  of Genesis Oil and Gas Consultants Ltd in St Paul’s Churchyard, London.

The launch was a huge success with around 50 attendees. Authors were signing copies, there was lots of chatter and excitement about each others chapters, and plenty of copies sold for Christmas gifts.

The book is very much the brainchild of former SUT President Dr Bil Loth, who as chair of the Policy Advisory Committee was concerned that although we’re good at influencing policy makers, government departments, trade bodies and industry colleagues we’re perhaps not so skilled at getting our message across to the next generation of underwater technologists, scientists and engineers. Our Education and Training Committee does a good job reaching the mid-teens and university students, but what about something for the 10-14 years olds? What about a bright, colourful book that might inspire them?

“Can a Lobster be a Archaeologist?” is the result. SUT pulled together a team of 23 authors from our membership and friends, each an expert in their field, and we asked them to write a chapter or two about an aspect of SUT’s broad range of interests that would fire the imagination of younger readers. Emily Boddy from the London office was tasked as editor, designer, and chief wrangler, keeping everyone on schedule. Perhaps the key person though was the artist we contracted to illustrate the book, Rachel Hathaway. With so many ‘voices’ from the team of authors, Rachel’s beautiful illustrations give a consistency to the book that would otherwise be hard to achieve, helping to weave the stories into a coherent whole. Areas covered are diverse, ranging from exploring for treasure and sunken airliners to offshore renewable energy, scientific diving, oil and gas production and how tsunamis are caused.

The book is for sale via the SUT website, and soon through Amazon.

As for the lobster – you’ll need to read Gary Momber’s chapter to find out!

[photo from L-R: Simon Boxall, Prof Ralph Rayner, Steve Hall, Dr Bob Allwood, Prof John Sharp, Roland Rogers, Dr Bil Loth, David Pugh, Mike Seares, Garry Momber, Bob Cole, James Cooper, Ian Gallett. Front row L-R: Emily Boddy, Rachel Hathaway, Katie Momber]

 

Photo: SUT president David Kirkley presents Dr Kjell Olav Stinessen with his award

 

– Thirty year old napkin sketch became a reality in 2015 –

The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) has presented its President’s Award to Dr Kjell Olav Stinessen in recognition of his long term services to industry at the Society’s AGM and annual dinner in London.

Dr Stinessen has been an engineer for over 50 years and is now a First Chief Engineer at Aker Solutions. In 1985, he drew a sketch on the back of a napkin of his vision for how subsea compression might work in the future. In September this year, 30 years after the napkin drawing, that vision was transformed into reality with the offshore industry’s first full-scale subsea compression station in operation at the Statoil-operated Åsgard field.

Dr Stinessen said: “Being awarded SUT’s President’s Award is a great honour. Countless engineering hours have been spent together by thousands of employees at Aker Solutions, sub-suppliers, Statoil and Shell to realise this vision and I am pleased that persistence can be awarded.

“Even at the age of 73, this inspires me to carry on for more years. I am now working on the development of a new concept which I believe has the same game-changing potential as subsea compression. With the experience we’ve gained, it will not take as long as 30 years this time and I am aiming at seeing it operational while I am still in work.”

Jane Bugler was also presented with The Houlder Cup for her outstanding contribution to underwater operations at the event on December 1. Recently retired, Ms Bugler spent the latter part of her career with the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) as technical director.

She was responsible for all aspects of IMCA’s technical work addressing offshore diving, marine, offshore surveying and ROV activities by developing good practice guidance, liaising with regulatory and industry stakeholders and representing IMCA members’ interests throughout the world. Her contribution towards improving safety in the most challenging of industries has influenced regulations throughout the world.

SUT awarded its Oceanography Award to Dr Karen Heywood, professor of environmental sciences at the University of East Anglia, for her outstanding contribution to the field of oceanography.

Dr Heywood’s research into the processes and dynamics of ocean circulation in the Polar Regions has led to new insights into how mixing and water-mass transformations at small and regional scales affect the global thermohaline circulation. She was also an early advocate for the use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) as carriers of sensors and samplers in experiments. Her recent work on this topic has seen undersea gliders being used in the Antarctic, including under icebergs.

Dr Bob Allwood, CEO of SUT said: “The Society is honoured to present these awards to such well-deserving winners. All the awardees have contributed greatly to their professions over the years and it is clear to see that they are still as passionate as ever about their fields of work.”

SUT’s Aberdeen Branch Award of Merit was presented to Ian Murray at a ceremony at the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, Aberdeen. He was recognised as supporter of the underwater community by encouraging membership, delivering project insights and making time to mentor and encourage newly graduated engineers.

Matthew Head, who picked up his MEng Mechanical and Electrical Engineering degree from Robert Gordon University earlier this month, was also awarded the tenth Martin Richmond Award at the dinner for demonstrating academic rigour and a passion for their chosen subject. He was presented with a painting created by Gray’s School of Art student Dagmara Milosz.