Busy Oceanology International marks the SUT’s 60th anniversary
Published: 04 March, 2026
The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) has announced it will be celebrating 60 years at the forefront of underwater technology, ocean science and offshore engineering at Oceanology International (Oi) being held next week on 10-12 March at ExCeL, London. Once again the society says it will play an active role in the programme contributing to sessions and events across the three days.
Over the 60 years SUT has grown from a UK-based initiative into a truly international society with members in more than 40 countries and branches across Europe, the Americas, Asia , Australia and the Middle East. Its vision is to continue to be the leading internationally recognised not-for-profit learned society facilitating the exchange of technological engineering and scientific knowledge and best practice in support of the sustainable and efficient development and use of the ocean and ocean resources while protecting ocean health, culture and heritage.
As SUT’s CEO, Cheryl Burgess explains: “Throughout this journey, from the late 1960s, Oi has been intrinsic to SUT’s success – and vice versa. SUT helped shape the technical conference alongside the exhibition that became Oi, creating a unique forum where its expertise and global community meet the wider marine and offshore industries. For six decades, the partnership has provided a stage for new ideas, technologies and collaborations to move from concept to deployment in the world’s oceans, turning SUT’s vision of shred knowledge and sustainable ocean use into practical impact across tis expanding international network.
“2026 Oi presentations and session reflect this role. The presentation of the SUT and MTS’s 2025 ‘Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration’ to Oliver Steeds OBE takes place during the Tuesday 10 March opening session. From a presentation by him to sessions on ‘Women in Industry’, the launch of the ‘SUT UXO Guidelines’ along with the presentation of the ‘Mick Cook Marine Site Investigation Award’ on Wednesday; and ‘Exploring Careers in the Ocean’ on Thursday; as well as individual presentation by Corporate, Individual and Developing Professional members throughout Oi2006, shows that the productive partnership continues.” Oi registration is at https://www.oceanologyinternational.com/
Further information on all three of the sessions is available here:
• Oi Opening and Captain Don Walsh Award Ceremony, moderated by Dr Ralph Rayner, Conference Chair and Past President, Society for Underwater Technology https://tinyurl.com/3628jnbp
• Women in Industry https://tinyurl.com/3hpu3r9u
• SUT Mick Cook Marine Site Investigation Award Ceremony https://tinyurl.com/4v9e6hfb
• Exploring Careers in the Ocean Panel https://tinyurl.com/yn6h7fkn
Wednesday 12 March sees a special 60th anniversary reception and interactive session take place in South Gallery Room 7 & 8 16:15-18:00 at Oi Mike Fearn, SUT Chair and Cristina Garcia-Duffy, SUT President along with other officers and members of the Society will explore underwater technology, marine science and subsea engineering past, present and future. Those wishing to attend should register at https://sut.org/product/oi-celebrate-the-society-for-underwater-technologys-60th-birthday/
“As well as attending conference sessions and our special celebratory session marking our 60th anniversary we very much look forward to meeting visitors to our stand (T551) where our friendly team will be on hand to chat about our global branches, special interest groups, SUT training and events and membership opportunities,” adds Cheryl Burgess.
Full information on all aspects of the SUT is at https://sut.org
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutuk/
The presentation of the SUT and MTS’s 2025 ‘Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration’ to Oliver Steeds OBE takes place during the Tuesday 10 March opening session.
