March 2019 OES Beacon

From the OES BEACON Editors (March 2019)

Harumi Sugimatsu and Robert Wernli

Harumi in India for Ganges river dolphin census
using a balloon.

Welcome to the March 2019 issue of the Beacon as we start a new year that includes many new AdCom and ExCom members. We also have new RECON and JOAB teams as reported in the article by our VP for OCEANS. The latest changes to all our committees and volunteers can be found on the inside of the front and back covers. Again, we’d like to thank all of the contributors to our quarterly newsletter. As you can see by the content, this is your newsletter, and we try to cover all aspects of the society activities from our workshops, symposia and conferences to what our individual members, chapters and committees are up to. And, don’t forget, all issues of the Beacon are available on the OES website.
Of particular interest in this issue are the highlights of all the activities OES has ongoing to support our students and Young Professionals (YPs). Our Student Activities committee has been very active, especially in expanding our social media footprint. And our latest two YP-BOOST selections are introduced. There is plenty of opportunity to get involved with your society as a student or YP, much of it funded; take advantage of it. In addition, an excellent report is provided on our support to the First Flight High School and their research. And, to support our latest goals and membership outreach, we’ll be unveiling our new OES website by the time you receive this issue. Check it out.

OCEANS 2018 Charleston wasn’t the only winner last October. So was the excellent cuisine like these “sticky finger” ribs. Cheers!!

There is plenty going on in our chapters as reported in the articles from Singapore and Atlantic-Canada. And the report on our workshops and symposia highlights 9 events that OES has sponsored last year and early this year. The USYS ’18 conference was recently held in China and the AUV ’18 symposia held in Porto, Portugal; reports on both are in this issue. And coming up we have the CWTMA workshop in San Diego, CA, in March and the Underwater Technology symposium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in April. And, on a larger scale, we have our largest co-sponsored conference, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), coming up the first week of May which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
We also take pride in our members. Be sure to see the latest articles on member awards, highlights and in “Who’s Who” some interesting musical ability in unveiled.
For those of you who are technical experts and like to discuss your efforts with your peers, be sure to review the VPTA article on our Distinguished Lecturer program. Our DLs are always looking for speaking opportunities and we’re always looking for future DLs. Get involved.

There is a wealth of other information and articles in this issue that we hope you enjoy. And, as always, we’ll close by inviting you to participate in your society. Submit articles and material for the Beacon. Or . . . volunteer for other society activities as a participant or an elected officer. It’s your society and it is here to help you reach your professional goals. Enjoy.