The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) has held a modified change-of-command ceremony at the Mare Island Dry Dock. Capt. William Woityra relieved Capt. Gregory Stanclik as commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star during a scaled-back ceremony designed to support COVID-19 physical distancing practices, which was presided over by the Pacific Area Commander Vice Adm.
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On May 31, 2020, Dr. Michael D. Max passed away. He was the MTS DC Section co-chair for nearly seven years, co-chair of the Diving Committee, and an MTS fellow–one of the highest accolades a MTS member can achieve. Max had a broad background including geology, geophysics, chemistry, acoustics and informational technology. He had a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin,
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NOAA Fisheries traditionally uses research vessels and chartered fishing vessels to perform fisheries surveys, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this summer’s ship-based surveys in the region have been canceled. Instead, three Saildrone unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) deployed from Alameda, California, are sailing to the Bering Sea to perform this important task. The Alaska pollock fishery in the eastern Bering
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NOAA announced that it will formalize and expand its longstanding partnership with Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) to explore, characterize and map the deep ocean and boost public understanding of the global ocean. Schmidt Ocean Institute was established as a philanthropically funded nonprofit in 2009 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt to advance oceanographic research through the development of innovative technologies, open sharing of
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On July 3, 2020 at 4 p.m. PST/7p.m. EST, the nonprofit SS United States Conservancy’s West Coast Chapter (www.ssusc.org) will host its first “virtual gala” in the style of the 1950s classic “Colgate Comedy Hour” variety show, once filmed aboard the SS United States. This event will mark the anniversary of the record-breaking maiden voyage of “America’s Flagship.” The online gala will air on the Conservancy’s YouTube channel
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Dr. Sylvia Earle, founder of Mission Blue, and Todd Steiner, executive director of Turtle Island Restoration Network, recently hosted a 40-min. conservation roundtable on creating one of the world’s first marine protected areas, the Cocos-Galapagos Swimway. Watch the video here.
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