Newport News Authenticates Keel of Virginia-class Attack Submarine Oklahoma
like this one because they remind us of the important role we play in our nation’s defense,” NNS President Jennifer Boykin said. “The nuclear submarines we build help ensure our peace and freedoms, and we take great pride in being a nuclear shipyard.”The ship’s sponsor is Mary “Molly” Slavonic, an Oklahoma native. Slavonic has long supported both the state of Oklahoma and the Navy. She worked alongside her husband, former acting Under Secretary of the Navy Greg Slavonic, in building the USS Oklahoma (BB 37) Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to honor the 429
Steve Thur Named Director of NOAA Research
am excited and humbled to be joining these dedicated professionals in service to the American public through science.”Thur received a Ph.D. in marine policy from the University of Delaware’s Graduate College of Marine Studies. He holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and economics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.With a workforce of 2,280 employees and affiliates, and 10 laboratories across the country, NOAA Research provides the science and research foundation to better understand our planet. Working in partnership with other NOAA offices and a variety of partners — including
NOAA Forecasts Average Summer 'Dead Zone' in the Gulf of Mexico
annual summer hypoxic dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico (gray). (USGS)This is the fifth year NOAA has produced a dead zone forecast using a suite of models jointly developed by the agency and its partners — teams of researchers at the University of Michigan, Louisiana State University, William & Mary’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science, North Carolina State University, Dalhousie University and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), who provided the Mississippi River nutrient loading data for the models. NOAA integrates the results of these multiple models into an aggregate forecast and releases
Brandi Smith Named VP of Newport News' Columbia-Class Program
of quality control responsible for all nuclear, non-nuclear, and non-destructive testing inspectors and most recently serves as Columbia-class construction program director.She earned a mechanical engineering degree from North Carolina State University and an MBA degree from The College of William and Mary
Fredericksburg Christian School Robotics Team Places First at Innovation Challenge @Dahlgren
a maze of landmasses and ships on its way to acquiring and destroying a squadron of jets assembled like bowling pins at the end of the course. FCS robot’s flawless performance launched the team into first place in the inaugural Innovation Challenge @Dahlgren event held at the University of Mary Washington’s (UMW) Dahlgren campus, April 30.Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) teamed with UMW, MITRE Corporation, and the Fredericksburg Regional Military Affairs Council to host the robotics competition. The STEM-based competition pit high- school teams against each other
Bionet Sonar Tests Underwater Wireless Network at NUWC Division Newport
the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, which encourage small businesses to engage in government research and development with the potential for commercialization.“We are extremely pleased about this partnership with Bionet Sonar,” said Mary Sylvia, Division Newport’s technology partnership officer and deputy director of the Northeast Tech Bridge. “It is an example of how the Northeast Tech Bridge enables our local maritime ecosystem. Using the tech transfer tools that we have available — such as this CRADA — Division
Climate Change is Flooding the Arctic with Light – and New Species
pushing further and deeper into the region as the ice melts.Arctic invasionsMilne Inlet, on north Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada, sees more marine traffic than any other port in Arctic Canada. Most days during the open-water period, 300-metre-long ships leave the port laden with iron ore from the nearby Mary River Mine. Between 71 and 82 ships pass through the area annually, most heading to — or coming from ports in northern Europe.Cruise ships, coast guard vessels, pleasure yachts, research icebreakers, cargo supply ships and rigid inflatable boats full of tourists also glide through the area.
Ocean Influencer: Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Schmidt Ocean Institute
through it.”Schmidt Ocean Institute executive director Dr. Jyotika Virmani and cofounder Wendy Schmidt pose with a large group of science alumni who have sailed aboard research vessel Falkor at their Alumni celebration at the 2020 Ocean Sciences meeting in San Diego. © Schmidt Ocean Institute/Mary Lide ParkerWhile discussing the future of marine science and technology, Virmani admitted that it’s impossible to ignore the influence of COVID-19, both near and long term. Marine research and education have been largely impacted for the foreseeable future, with degree programs being delayed
OVI: 103 Tons of Garbage Removed From North Pacific Gyre
open ocean plastic accumulation regions, or Gyres, in the world’s oceans.This expedition sets a record for the largest at sea clean-up in the Gyre to date, and more than doubles Ocean Voyages Institute’s own results from last year.“I am so proud of our hard-working crew,” said Mary Crowley, founder and executive director of Ocean Voyages Institute. “We exceeded our goal of capturing 100 tons of toxic consumer plastics and derelict ‘ghost’ nets, and in these challenging times, we are continuing to help restore the health of our ocean, which influences our own
February 2024
