For some, the Underwater Intervention meeting began on Monday 16th February with tutorials, including an overview of sonar technologies presented by Kongsberg Simrad Mesotech. That evening, the No Idea Band provided the entertainment for approximately 150 people who attended the conference Early Bird reception at the convention centre, providing ample networking opportunities.
While the number of exhibitors and attendees was slightly down since last year, the presentations and panel sessions remained well attended and strong in content. The core discussion areas of commercial diving, ROVs, offshore operations, shipwrecks, and autonomous underwater vehicles were joined this year by sessions on manned submersible design and operations, US Navy operations and NOAA operations. Sprinkled throughout many of the sessions were presentations about homeland and port security issues and how these are presently being addressed. In an interesting panel session on Thursday afternoon, an overview was given of the FBI dive team and their development and participation in underwater activities.
While the presentations kept everyone busy, there was ample time to view the latest in marine technology at the 137 technical exhibition stands. The exhibitors covered nearly every facet of the underwater industry, including survey and diving companies, equipment manufacturers, government agencies, publications and academic institutions. A new addition to the exhibition hall this year was a job-fair for commercial divers and ROV technicians, where people were able to explore employment and training opportunities. This addition was reportedly a great success.
Awards
During the course of the conference numerous ADCI chapters held meetings, culminating in their general meeting at which they honoured the following people with awards:
- Jim DorŽ, Global Industries, and Brian Abbot, Krech and Ojard - President's Award
- Jarrod Pehle and Clifford Jackson - ADCI Scholarship Recipients
The Marine Technology Society/ROV Committee honoured the following people and entities with awards at their committee meeting:
- Oceaneering International Ð Corporate Excellence
- F. Richard Frisbie Ð Chairman's Award
- Katheryn S. WassermanÐ Scholarship Recipients
Entertainment
The city of New Orleans was in the full swing of Mardi Gras celebrations during the week of the conference. In addition to having a bite or two of king cake, numerous conference attendees had a small taste of Fat Tuesday activities, watching parades where they were able to catch beads, doubloons or other trinkets. On Wednesday evening Integra Technologies and Sonsub, Inc. each provided opportunities for their guests to further participate in the festivities by sponsoring hospitality suites and providing beads to throw to the people waiting below on Bourbon Street.
Despite the decrease in participation this year, the conference was a great success for those who attended. Underwater Intervention will again be held in New Orleans from 14th to 16th February 2005, with tutorials on the 13th.
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