The three previous Ocean Technology Workshops have been held on Cape Cod and Plymouth, Massachusetts, each with unique venues. Event Co-Chairman, Bill Charbonneau of Benthos stated, "we moved this event to Newport, to bring our products close to key customers in the port and harbour security technology development field; namely Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Raytheon, Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard and many others." Newport harbour has many deep-water areas and underwater features that enable efficient demonstrations of side scan sonar, ROVs and AUVs; underwater data transmission instruments and much more.

Hands On
There is strong interest in this event because of its hands on approach and because there will be many port security products in action. Budgets for port and harbour security are being negotiated on Capital Hill. Port assessments are being put into place to meet the Maritime Security Act deadline of
1 July. Many port authorities world wide are seeking cost effective solutions to protect their ports and shore side facilities. Port directors are now being forced to not only create security plans, but implement the plans. To do so effectively they need to know what’s on the market and what is doable now.
According Chip Ryther, Operations Manager of CR Environmental and Boat Demonstration co-Director, "this event is different from other shows because we will have quick access to deep water, which will be excellent for equipment demonstrations. We did not have that at the previous workshops held in Falmouth and Plymouth, Massachusetts. And we will have the dock within steps from the hotel." Also HYPACK is running two full days of training on their software and demonstrating its use for port security applications.

Keynote Speakers
In addition to the dynamic workshop atmosphere and hourly boat trips there will be a hard hitting Special Speaker Series organised by the Marine Technology Society New England section; each afternoon featuring key individuals who either make policy for or make making purchasing decisions for several key port security agencies including: the U.S. Coast Guard, the US Navy, and the Ports of Providence and Boston. Among the confirmed speakers are Captain Mary Landry, Captain Port of Providence, Rhode Island and Dr. Kirk Evans, Director of Marine Programs at the Home Land Security Advanced Research Projects Agency in Washington D. C. Additional speakers will be confirmed during the summer months. To register to attend, to exhibit and to see the most updated information, go to www.motn.org/workshop.