14 OCT 2024 – New York, NY - Scuba.Tech Incorporated (“Scuba.Tech”) is proud to announce a partnership with The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) non-profit in Manhattan, NYC. AMC is the world’s largest non-profit animal hospital and New York City’s only Level 1 Veterinary Trauma Center. AMC also helps to advance the well-being of animals worldwide through the study of diseases and is pioneering a light-based preservation method to transform biological specimens into digital data for future research. This involves photogrammetric scans of turtles, fish, and animal organs. 

Scuba.Tech will help AMC’s effort by spearheading the development of the maritime segment of AMC’s research while also providing consulting services. We will manually model specimens and provide other ancillary data to support AMC's efforts, further accelerating their research by creating a large database of specimens for study. Future collaborations may include volunteering, cooperative public events, and training of AMC's staff in photogrammetric techniques. To enhance our own capabilities, Scuba.Tech will train its internal members on new, experimental photogrammetric workflows to aid in this effort. 

As part of this partnership, Scuba.Tech has been granted access to AMC's dissection microscope, enabling us to perform micro-photogrammetry on smaller artifacts. This collaboration will allow Scuba.Tech to contribute significantly to the emerging field of micro-photogrammetry. Through this partnership, Scuba.Tech aims to advance the frontiers of digital preservation techniques while supporting AMC's innovative research initiatives. 

Invitation to the 2024 Annual Meeting of Scuba.Tech

Dear Members and Interested Parties,

You are cordially invited to attend the Scuba.Tech Incorporated 2024 Annual Meeting, to be held on Monday, October 14, 2024, from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM Eastern Time. The meeting will take place online via Zoom.

Meeting Agenda:

1. Call to Order

2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

3. Reports:

• President’s Report

• Vice President’s Report

• Recording Secretary’s Report

• Treasurer’s Financial Report

4. Old Business

5. New Business

6. Elections

7. Public and Member Comment Period

8. Adjournment

Zoom Information: 

• Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88218267342?pwd=e2a0YyeQVYaylOa7OOw1dJbqn3IGWW.1 

• Meeting ID: 882 1826 7342 

• Passcode: 954223

This meeting is open to all members of Scuba.Tech, and the public is also welcome to attend. A comment period is included in the agenda to allow for feedback and discussion. We encourage all members to participate actively in the governance of our organization.

For further information, please feel free to contact agent@scuba.tech

We look forward to your presence and participation!

POSTED PUBLIC NOTICE, 1907 ET, 30 SEP 2024

Scuba.Tech Tests New ROV Scanning Technology at NOAA's Sandy Hook Laboratory

Sandy Hook, NJ

In a continuing effort to advance underwater survey technologies, Scuba.Tech successfully conducted a field test of its new Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Triscopic Camera Array (TCA) at the NOAA James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory, located on the Sandy Hook peninsula. The day’s operations, held in NOAA’s 32,000-gallon dive tank, marked an exciting advancement in underwater 3D photogrammetry techniques. The event was made possible through the efforts of NOAA staff; including Kenneth Keene, National Observer Program Coordinator, and James Vasslides, Director of the James Howard Lab. John Rosendale, Marine Biological Laboratory Technician, coordinated operations and provided vital facility support as Scuba.Tech carried out the survey and training objectives. 

Highlighting the day’s activities, the Scuba.Tech team focused on training students Paolo, Kyra, and Sean in underwater ROV operations and testing the functionality of the newly designed Triscopic Camera array. The triscopic array allows for more efficient underwater photogrammetry by enabling single-axis and dual-axis 3D scans using three cameras simultaneously. For Scuba.Tech, the test provided an opportunity to push its scanning technology further while providing hands-on experience for the team. Three students gained valuable experience in operating advanced marine technology, learning about underwater camera systems, and practicing the process of data collection with transect and orbital scan patterns.

NOAA Fisheries programs are instrumental in advancing marine conservation through innovative research and technology, as well as fostering public education in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). These programs support the sustainable management of marine ecosystems, while also enhancing public understanding through partnerships with educational organizations. Similarly, Scuba.Tech's mission, guided by its "Trident," emphasizes community stewardship of marine ecosystems, promoting oceanography and marine biology, and researching new digital workflows for marine conservation. This alignment in values makes the collaboration between Scuba.Tech and NOAA Fisheries a natural partnership, as both organizations leverage cutting-edge technology—like ROVs and advanced scanning arrays—and shared expertise to contribute to sustainable marine practices and inspire the next generation of environmental scientists.

“Our goal today was to train our crew in real-time ROV operations while simultaneously testing a new scanning method that will allow us to collect more data in harsh underwater environments,” said Christopher Drew, President of Scuba.Tech. “NOAA’s facilities provide an unparalleled opportunity to safely conduct these tests in a controlled environment, which will have far-reaching benefits in marine research and imaging. Everything we learn here together will become open-source for the public good.”

As the day wrapped up, the Scuba.Tech team, having successfully completed their dives and captured the data needed, began preparing for the next phase of the project—processing the collected data to create detailed 3D models. These models will be used to refine the triscopic array design, improve underwater scanning methods for future research and will be released as an open dataset.

By partnering with NOAA and educational institutions, Scuba.Tech continues to make significant strides in bringing oceanographic research and hands-on learning experiences to students, staff, and the broader scientific community.

Exploring Five Islands: STEAM Partners Bring Marine Science to Life for Students

New Rochelle, NY — July 18, 2024

A successful field school held at Five Islands Park in New Rochelle brought together an enthusiastic group of approximately 150 students from New Rochelle and the Bronx, eager to explore local marine life through hands-on learning experiences. Organized by the Mercy University Center for STEM Education, Scuba.Tech, the New York State Marine Education Association (NYSMEA), the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program, and the New Rochelle Department of Parks and Recreation, this event provided a unique educational opportunity for students to directly experience marine science within their own community.

Under the guidance of Dr. Meghan Marrero and Dr. Amanda Gunning of Mercy University, this educational initiative grants a unique opportunity to experience hands-on marine sciences for high school students from New Rochelle and middle school students from the Bronx and Westchester. “Being in the field gave students the opportunity to learn about different ways that marine scientists study the ocean; including through ROVs, drones, seine nets, quadrants, and water quality monitoring,” said Dr. Marrero. As Eco Ambassadors and participants in the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program, these students engaged in interactive sessions to deepen their understanding of local ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them. 

Highlighting the day's activities, Scuba.Tech facilitated two ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) dives, allowing students to observe and study the rich marine biodiversity along the shoreline. For many students, this was their first time operating submersible vehicles and their first time observing marine life in situ. Scuba.Tech taught 11 new students how to pilot the ROV system, guiding them through different observation points at the dive site. While diving, students were able to observe ocean life in its native habitat: blue crabs, oysters, sea lettuce, and Atlantic silverside fish were all seen that morning. Additionally, approximately 53 student volunteers managed the communications tether and performed ROV maintenance. These dives offered an exceptional educational experience, combining technology with environmental science to foster a greater appreciation for marine conservation. After the diving was completed for the day, expansive Q&A continued between the students and Scuba.Tech staff & explorers on underwater robotics, diving procedures, video production, and even interactions with local marine life.

"We are thrilled to be a part of this incredible initiative," said Christopher Drew, President of Scuba.Tech. "Our goal today is to inspire the next generation of marine scientists and environmental stewards by providing them with the tools and knowledge to explore and protect our oceans. Partnering with NYSMEA and Mercy brings exactly this, as we all share these values and mission towards a better future."

“NYSMEA loves collaborating with other organizations to ultimately provide a fun and educational day for students,” said Adam Riback, the Executive Director of the New York State Marine Educator Association. This collaborative effort with NYSMEA underscores a synergistic mission to promote STEAM education, community stewardship, and facilitate personal connections between marine researchers, educators, and classrooms. 

The event was further enhanced by the presence of New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert, demonstrating by action her commitment to youth education and environmental awareness within the community of New Rochelle, New York.

By partnering with educational institutions and community organizations, Scuba.Tech continues to make significant strides in its quest to bring oceanographic media content and hands-on learning experiences to students of all backgrounds.

All partners extend their thanks to Verizon Innovative Learning for their substantial support in making this event possible. 

2024 It's My Estuary Day (IMED)

Kaiser Park, Coney Island NYC NY

Join us as we celebrate the dedication and unveiling of "Gene Ritter Way" at Kaiser Park, Coney Island, in honor of the late Gene Ritter, a passionate advocate for marine education and environmental conservation in New York City. This event, organized by the New York City Parks Department and the New York State Marine Education Association (NYSMEA), brought together community leaders, local officials, and Gene's family to commemorate his legacy and lifelong contributions to the protection and education of the city's coastal environment. 

Event Highlights: 

• Opening remarks by NYSMEA Executive Director, Adam Riback. 

• Tribute speeches by NYC Parks Brooklyn Commissioner, Martin "Marty" - Maher, and other distinguished guests including Councilman Justin Brannan, Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny, and representatives from the offices of Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Community Board 13. 

• A heartfelt speech by Beth Ritter, expressing gratitude for the dedication and sharing reflections on Gene's impact on the community. 

• Special recognition of Gene's work, including the establishment of "It's My Estuary Day," and his efforts in environmental education, diving, and community outreach. 

• Unveiling of “Gene Ritter Way” at the waterfront of Kaiser Park 

Speakers Include: 

• Adam Riback (NYSMEA Executive Director) 

• Martin "Marty" Maher (Brooklyn Parks Commissioner) 

• Justin Brannan (Councilman) 

• Alec Brook-Krasny (State Assembly Member) 

• Eddie Mark (Community Board 13 Manager) 

• Beth Ritter (Gene Ritter’s wife) 

• Lou Segal (NYSMEA Nassau County Director and Gene's former high school teacher) 

About Gene Ritter: Gene Ritter was a passionate diver, marine educator, and environmentalist whose dedication to preserving New York City's marine environment continues to inspire future generations. His work included organizing educational events like "It's My Estuary Day," where he engaged students and the community in hands-on learning experiences about the importance of marine conservation. 

Video Credits: Filmed and edited by Scuba.Tech with additional filming by NYSMEA. 

Click here to view YouTube Video.

2024 SeaPerch Competition

Neptune, NJ — In a poolside display of submerged technology and topside teamwork, the SeaPerch Program's school students from around the region joined the U.S. Navy and Scuba.Tech Incorporated at the Neptune Aquatic Center on April 13th for an underwater robotics competition. The venue buzzed with excitement as approximately 600 student participants, 45 US Navy personnel, and six Scuba.Tech underwater explorers gathered to push the boundaries of marine exploration in friendly competition.

Students showcased their ingenuity and teamwork by navigating homemade ROVs, crafted from kits, 3D printers, and craft components, through intricate obstacle and mission courses. These custom-built ROVs tested their design skills and problem-solving abilities, reflecting the spirit of innovation that the SeaPerch Program aims to cultivate and that the US Navy demonstrates every day.

Amidst the excitement, Scuba.Tech elevated the experience by granting ten volunteer students the opportunity to command scout-class exploration ROVs complete with UHD cameras, lighting, and manipulator arms. This special segment allowed participants to handle more sophisticated technology, comparing and contrasting it with their own creations. Guided by the Scuba.Tech Explorers, these students maneuvered the advanced ROVs around the pool environment, demonstrating their skills to an audience of peers and global viewers via livestreams on Discord and Twitch.

The event highlighted the educational potential of such immersive experiences. Participants not only tackled real-world teamwork challenges but also deepened their understanding of underwater robotics. By blending competition with education, Scuba.Tech and the SeaPerch Program illuminated the importance of teamwork and technological proficiency in navigating the future of marine exploration.

All of the volunteers at the event demonstrated their commitment to the next-generation of underwater technologists. Combining this commitment with the US Navy’s mission and the passionate students; SeaPerch continues to inspire and prepare a new generation of engineers and explorers!

Click here to view YouTube Video.

Meadowlands Exposition Center

Secaucus, New Jersey

NYSMEA Annual Update

Keynote Brooklyn Barge

What a great year 2023 has been for collaboration between the Scuba.Tech crew and the New York State Marine Education Association!  

Get ready for an electrifying presentation with our very own Christopher Drew, in collaboration with NYSMEA & Scuba.Tech. Designed for professionals in marine science and education, this keynote will offer a comprehensive look at the latest technological advancements to make an accessible open-source stack for students and educators alike. Specifically, we will dive deep into this year's breakthroughs in student-assisted ROV operations, photogrammetry of shipwrecks & reefs, and underwater neural radiant-field technology. 

Alongside this, we've spent this year perfecting the NYSMEA ROV, overcoming technical challenges to achieve a complete deployment with many productive dives. We'll review the successes, challenges, and potential paths forward of our NYSMEA ROV to enable future missions such as underwater live-streaming. This ambitious Scuba.Tech project will allow students to immerse themselves virtually in the ocean's wonders, ask live questions through topside chat, and engage with marine biologists & scuba divers in real-time to bring the mysteries beneath our littoral waters to the classroom. Let's Go Explore! 

On Saturday Dec 2nd, we were able to present the key achievements and ongoing projects that will take us into next year. Click here to view Slides.

School Event

Join Scuba.Tech as we dive the ROV with scuba divers to explore the safety and operation aspects of a hybrid team. It’s a beautiful day at Lake Hydra to go explore!

Special thanks to Heiwad Osman of Big Apple Divers, NYSMEA Executive Director Adam Riback, Ken Kraft Co-owner of Lake Hydra for sharing their perspectives on today’s dive

Click here to view YouTube Video.

Artifact Hunting off the Coast of New York City

Sea Treavelers Marina - Artifact Search

Join the Scuba.Tech crew as we embark on an exciting underwater adventure with the Blue Robotics BlueROV2! Explore Denyse Wharf by the Verrazano Bridge and Coney Island alongside historian Andrew Huebner and NYSMEA Executive Director Adam Riback.

Will we discover the bell of the Old Iron Pier? What lies beneath the surface of our own backyard? Come explore and find out!

Special thanks to Adam Friedman of Friedman Management in Manhattan, Jim Kozlik of Preferred Pharmacy in Brooklyn, and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for making this dive possible.

Click here to view YouTube Video.

ROV Exploration at Five Islands Park

Explorers; join the Scuba.Tech crew at Five Islands Park in New Rochelle for a dive with the Blue Robotics BlueROV2 and see together what lies within these estuary waters. In this episode, we are joined by Students of the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program, Mercy University Professors, and staff of the New York State Marine Education Association.

Many thanks to Verizon for supporting the students, Mercy University for the event coordination, NYSMEA, The Joy of Giving Something, and Blue Robotics.

Click here to view YouTube Video.

2023 It's My Estuary Day (IMED)

Kaiser Park, Coney Island NYC NY

Click here to view YouTube Video.

Adventure & Archaeology: A Modern Expedition

...is now live at X-Ray Mag, No. 103!  

Mission  |  Art  |  Skills  |  Technology

If you're looking for a great introduction to expeditionary diving and the MAST mindset,
check it out for yourself at: https://xray-mag.com/content/adventure-archaeology

Click here to view Slides.