Editorial

Welcome to the "Hydrographic" edition of Marine Technology Reporter, an edition chock full of information and insights on the science and business of measuring and understanding the physical features of bodies of water.

Despite living in an age when you can seemingly ring up information on anything, anywhere, anytime, it’s interesting to realize the vast majority of the population have little to no idea – or for that matter care – about the difficulties and nuances of working efficiently on and under the world’s waterways. Despite the many hurdles, those engaged with the world’s oceans and seas for science, business or defense are increasingly able to extract and process data more efficiently from the depths.

As Laurel Gallaudet writes in “Gazing into the Abyss”, mapping the ocean is not simply an endeavor for the fascination of scientific and explorative intrigue. The need for higher-resolution and more extensive imagery and mapping of our oceans has become a matter of national and international interest central to a range of different sectors, whether marine transportation, fisheries management, mining for critical minerals, offshore energy, or defense, an understanding of the nature of the seabed is increasingly essential for economic, national, and natural security. In this story she examines some of the latest tech to get the job done

But now that we have all of this data, what do we do with it?

“Clearing Data Processing Bottlenecks” is the title of Wendy Laursen’s feature, suggesting data processing is already playing catch-up to acquisition, arguing that it will have to change dramatically if it’s going to keep up with what’s coming next. Laursen talked to tech leaders in the field to discuss ‘what’s next.’

The September/October edition of Marine Technology Reporter is our annual “MTR100” edition, our annual look at 100 leading technologies, people and organizations in the field. While it is my favorite edition, it is also my least favorite premised on the amount of time spent sorting and processing applications. If you would like your company considered for inclusion, the time is now to apply, as the deadline of August 31, 2024 loom.

Click here to file your free MTR100 application now.