US Awards $6.7 Million for Sea Level Rise and Coastal Resilience Research
to model nature-based flood mitigation projects to inform holistic coastal planning in the Gulf of Mexico coast.(IRA-funded) University of California, Irvine and University of Miami received nearly $500,000 to evaluate how nature-based solutions can empower more equitable flood risk management in Los Angeles County, California.(IRA-funded) George Mason University, The Nature Conservancy, Resources for the Future and Maryland Department of Natural Resources received nearly $500,000 to evaluate flood mitigation designs under future climate scenarios to inform restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay region
Airbnb Co-founder Donates $25 Million to The Ocean Cleanup
aims to engage preventive measures to “close the tap” by intercepting additional plastic downstream before it can reach the ocean. Its Interceptor Solutions are currently deployed or trialing in eight countries around the world – the most recent deployments began operations in Los Angeles County (USA) and Kingston (Jamaica) in November and December 2022, respectively. So far, the organization’s technology has intercepted over 2 million kilograms (almost 4.5 million pounds) of trash in rivers, keeping it out of our oceans for good.Joe Gebbia, Co-founder of Airbnb and Samara and
EMILY: Hydronalix Finds new Uses for Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology
for diver safety,” says Collings.With Brescia’s help, the DoD Domestic Preparedness Support Initiative provided either EMILY, Swiftwater EMILY or Sonar EMILY to first responders in New York, New Orleans, Honolulu, Kauai, Houston, Denver, Washington, D.C., and Norfolk. “The Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguards have been our main testing group since around the 2011-2012 timeframe,” said Brescia. Photo courtesy HydronalixVirtually indestructible“EMILY is made of Kevlar and aircraft-grade composites. It can handle a 30-foot wave. It can be thrown out
New Underwater Inspection System for LA County Sheriffs
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has taken delivery of a new CodaOctopus Underwater Inspection System (UIS) to aid in real-time threat assessment, hazardous object identification and change detection.The UIS was sold and delivered by Coda Octopus Group, Inc. for a contract value of $665,000.“Members of LASD - Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) were extremely pleased to take delivery of this state-of-the-art piece of equipment, which they will use mainly for counter-smuggling/terrorism (CBRNE screening), seafloor search and recovery of evidence and targets and to assist in
Underwater Video Aids Scientists and Search Teams
the many other agencies and dive teams using Fishers video systems are the Rochester Police and Wayne Fire Departments in New York, Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Missouri Highway Patrol, Boston Police Special Operations Unit, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept., University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center, Hartford Police Dept. in Connecticut, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, Solano Dive Rescue Team in California, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab, Roswell Fire Dept. in Georgia, Flathead Lake Biological Station
Oil Spill in L.A. Harbor Still under Lens
fuel in the Cerritos channel at Berth 198. Oil was also observed throughout portions of Cerritos Channel, where booming strategies have been employed. Coast Guard investigators from Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, along with members of California Fish and Wildlife, Los Angeles Port Police and Los Angeles County Fire are assisting in the investigation and monitoring of the area. The initial investigation onboard the Istra Ace revealed faulty piping that may have allowed oil to leak from the starboard side of the ship. A Coast Guard helicopter overflight and shoreline clean-up assessments occurred at
February 2025
