Meeting

The Marine Seismic Research Operations Committee (MSROC) Virtual Spring Meeting, will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET.

Here is the link to register for the zoom meeting and to receive the link to the virtual meeting: Zoom Link 

We look forward to connecting with everyone this spring!

2026 UNOLS RVTEC Meeting
November 16–20, 2026 | University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL

The University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) invites you to the annual Research Vessel Technical Enhancement Committee (RVTEC) Meeting, hosted at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. This key gathering will take place Monday, November 16 through Friday, November 20, 2026.

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Purpose & Highlights

The RVTEC (Research Vessel Technical Enhancement Committee) Meeting brings together marine technicians, engineers, and vessel operators from the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF) and partner agencies to share knowledge, advance best practices, and collaborate on technical solutions. The meeting focuses on vessel operations, instrumentation, troubleshooting, and innovation, and provides workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities that support safe, efficient, and high-quality oceanographic research.

This week-long event typically includes:

• Plenary sessions featuring updates from UNOLS, affiliated programs, facilities, committees, and initiatives
• Technical breakout sessions, panels, workshops, and trainings focused on core marine technician skills and shipboard systems, including instrumentation troubleshooting, maintenance best practices, data quality and integrity, vessel network and cybersecurity basics, multibeam and acoustic systems, deployment and recovery operations, and other hands-on operational topics relevant to at-sea technical support. 
• Opportunities for hands-on learning, peer networking, and exchange of operational experience and best practices

Held at the University of Miami, the meeting will benefit from a dynamic oceanographic research environment and strong regional marine science community, fostering both formal sessions and informal collaboration.

Audience

This meeting is ideal for:

• Marine technicians, engineers, and technical staff supporting research vessels and oceanographic platforms
• Fleet operations managers and policy-makers within UNOLS and associated institutions
• Researchers and technical leads interested in vessel operations, instrumentation, and emerging best practices

Hotel - Thesis Hotel Miami

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Thesis Hotel Miami. You can make reservations using the link: RVTEC or by calling the Reservations Department at 305-667-5611. The last day to make reservations is September 29, 2026. Please make your reservations before this date. If you have any questions about the hotel please contact Bridget at bridget@unols.org. 

UNOLS 2026 Summer AICC Meeting will be held virtually on June 25th, 2026 from 10:00 to 1:00 Pacific Time. 

Zoom link here: https://washington.zoom.us/meeting/register/Dd3RYYyMTUuweIiz0f5oxg

The Seafloor Sampling Working Group (SSWG) will have its Spring meeting on April 21, 2026 at 1:30 to 2:30pm eastern time. 

Contact Maureen Walczak at mwalczak@uw.edu for the zoom link. 

OBSIC-OS will be holding the annual meeting at University of Texas Institute for Geophysics in Austin, Texas on June 10 & 11, 2026. 

A block of hotel rooms has been arranged for the per diem rate ($173.00 per night). Please use this link to make your reservations: Lone Star Court Hotel. 

Meeting Location:  Meeting Room 2.201

Institute for Geophysics
J.J. Pickle Research Campus
10601 Exploration Way, Bldg. 196 (ROC)
Austin, TX 78758-4445

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If you have any questions please reach out to Tara Clemente at tara@unols.org. 

The 2026 Spring DeSSC "Business" meeting

When:

• 20 May 2026 - All Day
• 21 May 2026 - AM Only

Where:

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution - Carriage House

Zoom Link:

https://washington.zoom.us/meeting/register/zfdMLtCvR6u7Y4XRP1MUKg

RSVP:

Please RSVP if you plan to attend in-person or virtually. This enables us to plan logistics for the meeting. The RSVP form is HERE. 

Hotel:

A block of rooms has been arranged at the Inn on the Square at the per diem rate of $142 a night. You can make reservations using this link: Inn on the Square or by calling the hotel at 508-457-0606. If you have any questions please reach out to Bridget Harrell-Donze at bridget@unols.org. 

The UNOLS 2026 Spring Council Meeting is scheduled to take place at the University of Southern Mississippi's Robert F Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise in Gulfport, MS on April 28 and 29, 2026. April 28 will be a full day meeting and April 29 will be a half day meeting. 

Getting to the Facility

Access to the Robert F Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise is through the North Security Gate located on Copa Boulevard.  Detailed driving instructions can be found here.  Detailed instructions about Port Access is here.   

Facility Security

You will need to have a TWIC or be escorted by a person who has a TWIC to get into the facility.  Please carpool and, when you do so, spread the TWIC holders amongst the groups.  One cardholder can escort 5 people.    Every participant must have a government issued ID to show  If there are issues, please call/text Alice Doyle.  

RSVP

Please RSVP if you plan to attend the meeting in-person or virtually: Spring Council Meeting RSVP.

Travel

For travel planning purposes, Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) is located 10 minutes from the meeting location and is served by six major airlines. Mobile and New Orleans airports may also be options for travel (~90-minute drive), and Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service stops in downtown Gulfport. 

Hotel

A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport Beachfront at the current per diem rate ($110.00 a night). To make your reservations please call the hotel at 866-504-9846 and ask for the group rate: UNOLS or use this link: Group Rate for UNOLS Council Meeting. The group rate expires on April 17 so please don't hesitate to make your reservations. 

If you have any question please contact Alice Doyle (alice@unols.org, 303-319-9906) Doug Russell at doug@unols.org or Bridget Harrell Donze at bridget@unols.org.