Conference Programme 2025

John was previously the NOC Chief Scientist, responsible for leading the research direction across all elements of NOCs portfolio and is an Honorary Fellow at the Met Office and a Fellow of the Alan Turing Institute. Since joining NOC in 2020, John has championed the embedding of digital approaches to furthering science, including digital innovations and has been key to thought leadership in his field and in shaping the research landscape. Prior to joining NOC, John was at the Met Office where he was Head of Ocean Forecasting R&D. His personal research was on developing ocean models for climate and hazard prediction and understanding.  Prior to his career at the Met Office, John worked at Plymouth Marine Laboratory as a mathematical modeller in the biogeochemistry modelling team with the primary responsibility for implementing marine dynamical models. 

This presentation explores the Royal Navy’s future for the innovative use of autonomous systems for Maritime Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) collection, known as the Future Military Data Gathering (FMDG) Programme. It highlights the Royal Navy’s current use of Maritime Autonomous Systems (MAS) and the Organising for Autonomy work in partnership with Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). The discussion also addresses challenges in certification of MAS, standardisation of data, and leveraging machine learning for real-time analysis to optimise Maritime Operations.

It can be said that the role of the hydrographer has always been extremely varied, requiring a wide practical skill set grounded in the fundamentals of science and technology.  This role continues to evolve, with the introduction and refining of new tools such as improvements in sonar technology, processing software and uncrewed vessels.  In this session we will discuss how the world’s largest commercial provider of Geo-data trains both new hydrographers and experienced hires to acquire, process and deliver quality data products to our customers.

Our work has been based off the experiences and skills gained by our team through operating in environments around the world, including under ice in both the Arctic and Antarctica. The team has developed safety management systems, processes, procedures and technical solutions for operating AMS in extreme conditions, and its ongoing research portfolio feeds back directly into our AMS training delivery, project and consultancy work. This presentation will describe how the AMC has leveraged our AMS experience to develop a nationally recognised Certificate III level program in Autonomous Maritime Systems, delivered R&D support to DSTG and provided AMS Test and Evaluation and other support to the Maritime Industry.

I will share key experiences, challenges, and opportunities I’ve encountered in the early stages of my career. Through this, I aim to provide an outlook on how the industry supports the uptake and development of young hydrographers, as well as what more can be done.

My path from the finance career to becoming an offshore surveyor – what skills and personality traits helped me to make this U-turn and still help; how I survived and actually graduated the university; what challenges I faced first going offshore; what challenges I face now and how I tackle them.

Eric’s study investigates the effects of scouring caused by the Elbtunnel on the surrounding riverbed. Scouring, a process where sediment is eroded due to altered water flow dynamics, poses risks to both the seafloor and the structural integrity of underwater constructions. This research aims to identify contributing factors and assess their implications for marine
environments.

Tony’s study explores the multi-frequency mode of the Kongsberg EM2040P MKII in shallow coastal waters like the Elbe River. This innovative technology enables the use of multiple frequencies (200–700 kHz) in a single survey run, enhancing the detection of soft riverbed materials such as mud and clay. By analysing the performance of low and high frequencies in shallow water and utilizing multispectral backscatter data, the research improves riverbed classification, delivering more precise and detailed survey outcomes.

Explore how AI-driven satellites, laser communications, and multi-orbit networks will revolutionise maritime operations. Discover how these technologies enhance vessel efficiency, environmental monitoring, and maritime security. Join this session for essential insights on the future of maritime innovation, tailored for forward-thinking maritime leaders seeking to harness emerging space technologies.

Rapid advances in remote sensing capabilities are fuelling a revolution in our ability to cost-effectively monitor and understand our coasts and oceans. Conventional in-water point measurements can now be placed into the wider context of an area that may have huge spatial and temporal variability, providing unprecedented situational awareness in some of the most dynamic marine environments on the planet.

More information coming soon.