The conference, developed with the Society for Underwater Technology, is the result of a rigorous selection process resulting in non-commercial conference sessions, featuring positive technology outcomes, case-studies, and presentations on achieved ROI (return on investment) and performance improvements. Online registration is now open at the conference website.

"All the presentations, designed to meet the needs of the marine science and ocean technology community, and the sectors they serve such as the offshore oil and gas, marine renewable energy, and homeland security industries,  are peer- reviewed and will be published through distinguished journals," says James Coleman, event organiser.

"Dr D James Baker, currently the Director of the Global Carbon Measurement Program of the William J. Clinton Foundation, is the overall Chairman of the Conference. He is also a science and management consultant with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment. Our technical stream chairs are all highly respected experts in their field."

Each technical stream has its own dedicated committee responsible for the structure of its sessions. Rob Balloch, Strategic Development and Marketing Director Sonardyne chairs the Navigation & Positioning committee; Andy W Hill Marine Geohazards Technical Authority of BP America chairs the Hydrography/Geophysics committee; Paul Holthus, Executive Director, World Ocean Council (WOC) chairs the Marine Environment committee; Pat Power, Managing Director of Fugro GeoConsulting chairs the Geotechnics committee; and Professor Ralph Rayner Vice President of IMarEST and Chairman of the Global Ocean Observing System Scientific and Technical Committee chairs the Ocean Observing & Forecasting committee. Each chairman has strong views on the successful outcome of their committee's deliberations and the programme that has resulted:

•    Rob Balloch: "The navigation and positioning team have put together a session that combines real world experiences with new product briefs and if that wasn't enough some political debate about relevant policy in emerging global markets. We've aimed to be inclusive but at the same time maintain a pace that will attract delegates throughout the day."

•    Andy W Hill: "The Hydrography and Geophysics session promises to provide

focus on key developments in technology and technique in these fields. Three sessions on AUV Applications, Survey Sensors and Integrated Data Delivery have been put together to highlight recent developments and provide ongoing direction on digital data integration going forward. The sessions, alongside the Oceanology technical show, should provide an excellent forum for driving forward improvements in improved data delivery and analysis."

•    Paul Holthus: "The World Ocean Council is honored to be chairing the Environment Committee of Oceanology International 2010, a world leading event on the science and technology of ocean use. The responsible, sustainable use of the marine environment is one of the critical global challenges facing mankind, as our need for energy, food, carbon storage, species habitat and other irreplaceable ocean ecosystem services grows. The Oceanology International 2010 Environment sessions are bringing  to the conference some of the latest advances in understanding marine ecosystems and human impacts on them, with a view towards management for sustainability."

•    Pat Power: "As chairman I am delighted with the range, quality and relevance of the geotechnical papers to be included in the programme. Presenters from the United States, Europe and Norway will address the two hottest topics in the industry today, namely (a) effective site investigation techniques in ultra deepwater to mitigate shallow geological risk for oil & gas exploration and production; and (b) achieving the same objectives in much shallower water for offshore windfarm developments."

•    Ralph Rayner: "Selecting from the large number of high quality submissions for the ocean observations and forecasting stream has been a challenge for the organising committee. The resulting programme is a balance of excellent papers on ocean observing systems with a series of presentations describing exciting new developments in ocean observation technologies."