Recognitions during OI

The BP Postgraduate award for best MSc thesis for the academic year 2008-09 in the fields of Offshore and Subsea Engineering and Technology goes to Mr Ani Bede Chinedu from the University of Aberdeen for his thesis entitled ‘Analysis of Large Diameter Catenary Risers for Oil Production in Moderate Water Depths'. In addition to this certificate he will also receive a cheque for GBP500.

The Fugro GEOS Award for best MSc thesis for the academic year 2008-09 in Meteorology, Physical Oceanography or Applied Oceanography goes to Mr Benjamin Loveday from the University of Southampton for his thesis entitled ‘Using Data from Autonomous Underwater Gliders to Assess the Performance of Ocean Forecast Models in the Northwest Mediterranean Sea'. Unfortunately Ben cannot be with us today to receive this award. His certificate and cheque for GBP500 will be forwarded to him in South Africa where he is presently undertaking research.

The Bob Barton Memorial Award aims to recognise excellence in writing and reporting on marine science, engineering and technology. Established in 2006, the award was spearheaded by Ralph Rayner and Roger Scrivens as a tribute to marine technology journalist Bob Barton, who sadly passed away in 2003. The award is granted, on a biennial basis, to a young journalist who has, in the opinion of the selection committee, delivered the highest quality piece of print journalism in this field in the last year. The award comprises a fellowship to cover all travel, accommodation and subsistence to spend one week as a reporter at a world-class oceanographic institute outside of the country of residence. The winner of this prize is Mr Phil McKenna. Phil is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and cannot be here to receive his award today.

The next prize is the Alan Greig Memorial Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Commercial Operational Oceanography 2010. lan Greig was probably the first ‘commercial' oceanographer in the UK. During his long career he worked for Imcos Marine, Hunting Surveys, Space Technology Systems and co-founded InstallOcean Ltd. Alan sadly died in 2004. This prize was established in recognition of his outstanding contribution to commercial operational oceanography. This award was presented to Mr Rhoderick Powell.