This is the showcase where you will find the very latest in instrumentation and technology. Whilst the event is heavily slanted towards oceanographic environmental monitoring there is always a large proportion directly relevant to the underwater industry. The international spread of the visitors is the best ever found in the UK.
If you are interested in the development of any aspect of underwater technology, this is the place to be. Equally, the networking opportunities at this international event are second to none. And with advance registration, entry to the exhibition and all the conferences is absolutely free. Personally I’m interested in the paper on ‘Buried object scanning sonar’ to be given by Dr Steven Shock of Florida University at 0955 hrs, on Wednesday morning, 11 March. And there are 107 other presentations at the last count to choose from!
Oceanology International has long been established in its position as the world1s largest marine science and ocean technology exhibition and conference. It is commonly quoted as ‘the world’s best’. This is why some 6,000-plus marine scientists, technologists and experts are expected to descend on Brighton from the 10 to 13 March 1998 - and why they have been continuing to do so, in steadily increasing numbers, since 1969.
This reputation continues to develop. Many of the 550 exhibitors plan to launch their new products and services to coincide with this meeting of the global marine science community. With the exhibition larger than in previous years, indications point towards Oceanology International 98 hosting an unprecedented array of marine and subsea equipment, technologies, projects and services.
The conference sessions will kick off on Tuesday morning, 10 March, with a pep-talk from the Minister for the Environment, The Rt Hon Michael Meacher MP. In his own words, ‘Oceanology International is a wonderful opportunity to share expertise, technological innovations and experience from around the world’. This will be followed by the presentation of the OI98 Award for a Lifetime Contribution to Marine Sciences which this year goes to Professor Emeritus Noriyuki Nasu of the University of Tokyo, Japan. Then it will be down to business with a vast selection of technical papers from internationally renown speakers.
The plenary session will provide the background of the current political, business and environmental perspectives on the state and the future of the global ocean. This is an increasingly critical subject as the world edges incessantly closer to the doomsday scenario of the destruction of the oceanic ecosystems. Dr Colin Summerhayes from the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) in France and Director of the GOOS Project, will describe the launch of GOOS. This is the Global Ocean Observing System which will provide nations with the means to measure, model and predict the state of the global ocean.
Continuing the global theme, Professor Takashige Sugimoto from the University of Tokyo will explain the response of the marine ecosystem in the Western North Pacific to climate change (GLOBEC).
Then we get down to the nitty gritty. Tuesday will be the day for Coastal Zone Management together with Modelling and Information Systems. Wednesday will cover Rapid Environment Assessment Technology and Acoustics. Thursday is for AUVs, UUVs, Littoral Oceanography, Wave Measurement and Remote Sensing and Positioning.
The only time I have missed one of the Oceanology International events since they began in 1969 has been when I have been stuck offshore or been out of the country on business. The reason I make a special effort to be there is because it offers inspiration on a massive scale. You can talk directly with key individuals across the whole spread of technologies. You cannot help but come away with a ‘buzz’ and a whole list of leads and ideas to follow up. On the social side, you will meet many old friends to catch up with. And where better than in the sumptuous grandeur of Brighton’s premier seafront hotel, The Metropole.
Registration details available from:
Oceanology International 98
Tel: +44 (0)181 949 9222
Fax: +44 (0)181 949 8186, or +44 (0)181 949 8193, or +44 (0)181 949 8168
e-mail:Nikkie.Smith@spearhead.co.uk
web: http:/www.spearhead.co.uk/
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