Scarlet Knight Rising to the Challenge

The glider, dubbed Scarlet Knight, was navigated by students from the Rutgers University Coastal Ocean Observation Lab (RUCOOL) and traveled more than 7,000km during its 7 month voyage. Launched on 27th April 2009, Scarlet Knight made over 20,000 undulating cycles, collected tens of thousands of measurements of ocean water salinity and temperature, transmitting, and the transmitted data via satellite to the lab at Rutgers. After 201 days in the water, Scarlet Knight was recovered off the coast of Spain on 4th December by a combined team from Rutgers University, Teledyne Webb Research, and Puertos del Estado and brought to the historic port of Baiona, Spain.

Delivering a special lecture ‘'Scarlet Knight - First Ever Oceanic Crossing by an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle" at the end of the Awards Ceremony at the Oceanology International Conference on 9th March, Clayton Jones, Senior Director, Teledyne Webb Research, will review the trials and successes of this event measured in terms of rising to a technical challenge, driving a scientific pursuit, and the tremendous educational and international outreach that this collaborative effort has spawned. A brief video compellation of the crossing will be aired.

"It is fitting that this exciting presentation should take place at the end of the Awards ceremony, for Scarlet Knight has inspired students to attempt the seemingly impossible, something that will be appreciated by those receiving ‘best dissertation' awards as well as senior members of the marine science and ocean technology community," says James Coleman, Event Manager of Oceanology International.

The Ocean Observation conference stream is one of five specialist streams taking place at the world's premier conference and exhibition for the marine science and ocean technology community. The others - each of them a day long - cover Navigation & Positioning, Marine Environment, Hydrography/Geophysics, and Geotechnics. Additionally, New Scientist is hosting a session on Thursday 11th March on marine renewable energy.

Over 500 suppliers of the latest technology and service developments covering every element of marine science and ocean technology will gather at ExCeL in London's Docklands for the major Oceanology International exhibition. This year's exhibition is the largest ever held, with pavilions from Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands and individual exhibitors from nearly 30 countries.

It also attracts vessels of many disciplines from around the world to demonstrate new technologies and host networking functions - they range in size from 8m to the Royal Navy mine hunter HMS Cattistock. Oceanology International is also hosting associated meetings from over 20 of industry associations, work groups and end-user organisations; and hosts a Careers Day for those looking for a career in the rapidly expanding sectors it represents.

Admission to all elements of Oceanology International is free of charge and online registration is open at the website.