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The 2026 Gray’s Reef Southeast MATE ROV Regional Competition is a Wrap!
On Saturday, May 2nd, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Marine Technology Society, and Marine Advanced Technology Education Center successfully hosted the 2026 Gray’s Reef Southeast MATE ROV Regional Competition. The MATE ROV Competitions aim to inspire and challenge students to learn and creatively apply STEM skills to solving real world problems in a way that strengthens their critical thinking, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and innovation, and prepares them for the Blue Economy workforce. This event directly ties with the mission of sanctuaries to protect and conserve natural resources for current and future generations.
With 12 teams and over 200 guests, the day was full of rigorous underwater robotics mission tasks, safety inspections, and engineering interviews. Congratulations to the winning team from Metter High School, Tiger Shark Tech! Tiger Shark Tech will move on to compete at the Worlds Competition in Canada in late June. Thank you to all of our partner organizations who provided educational materials and booths to share with attendees. We would also like to thank all staff and volunteers that made this event possible! We can’t wait for next year! For more information about the Gray’s Reef ROV program, check out the link below!
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Gray’s Reef GR-ROVER arrives at Gray’s Reef and the Ocean Discovery Center
Developed for Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary’s unique sand flats and reef benthic environment, GR-ROVER (Gray’s Reef ROVER) provides a best-of-both-worlds tele-operated video and instrument platform. With the mobility to maneuver around the reef, and a stable, bottom resting video platform with pan/tilt-mounted wide-to-macro video capability, GR-ROVER will be an engaging addition to the Discovery Center, and an innovative tool for research and monitoring. Developed by Robo Nautica LLC as part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, GR-ROVER will be a significant research and outreach tool for the entire sanctuary.
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Gray’s Reef volunteer Katie is guided by Ed Williams from Robo Nautica, LLC, while learning to pilot GR-ROVER. Photos by Elliott Lam/NOAA.
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Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Dive Team Works Refreshes Safety Training
As we are approaching field season, the Gray’s Reef Sanctuary Dive Team Dive team worked with the Florida Key National Marine Sanctuary’s Science Officer to refresh dive skills, practice diver recovery scenarios, and recertify for CPR/First Aid/Emergency Oxygen Administration. After a day practicing emergency response skills and another full day in the pool reviewing underwater safety skills, the team headed out to R/V Gannet for some dock-side diver recovery practice. As diving is the main platform for research in the sanctuary, maintaining these skills is a critical requirement for our divers to continue to conduct safe dive operations. A huge thank you to Florida Key National Marine Sanctuary’s Science Officer for administering the course. Congratulations to our divers for practicing these lifesaving skills.
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 Divers simulate extracting an injured diver from the water onto R/V Gannet. Photo by Alison Soss/NOAA.
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 Divers discussing skills before dropping down to practice safety drills. Photo by Alison Soss/NOAA
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World Ocean Day Celebration at the Ocean Discovery Center - June 6th, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: 340 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah, GA
Join us in celebrating the wonders of the underwater world at the Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center for World's Ocean Day, 2026! In the morning, meet a real Tybee mermaid and participate in a special crafts workshop as she teaches us how to use the ocean to create art. In the afternoon, hear from a graduate student about his recent work collecting and analyzing microplastics in local waterways.
NOAA Ship Nancy Foster Open House - June 21st, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: River Street, Savannah, Georgia
Before embarking on the 2026 Southeast Regional Ecosystem Assessment, NOAA's Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA Ship Nancy Foster will hold an open house on Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 12- 3 p.m. In groups of 10, NOAA Ship Nancy Foster officers and Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary scientists will guide public guests throughout the vessel. Along the pier, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and NOAA Ship Nancy Foster will have informational booths with activities.
Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center Upcoming Closures
The Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center will be closed on the following dates:
- Friday, June 19th, 2026
- Friday, July 3rd, 2026
- Tuesday, July 27 - Thursday, July 30 for a private event.
Plan your next visit by exploring our Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center webpage.
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Photo of the Month!
SCAD Serves fellow spray-painting PVC props for the 2026 Gray's Reef Southeast MATE ROV Regional Competition. Photo: Kitty Lawas/NOAA
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Interested in having your photo featured? Email graysreef@noaa.gov for more information!
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