Top 5 Influential Voices in the Ocean Technology Sector

The ocean sciences sector is the perfect field for innovation, given that that most of the world’s oceans are yet to be explored, alongside the rising demands for climate change resolutions. At the centre of this are visionaries—pioneering breakthroughs and raising awareness of sustainable marine practices and innovative technology.

This article highlights five influential voices in the sector, whose work not only pushes the boundaries of technology, but also inspires global action to safeguard our marine environments.

Yohei Sasakawa, Nippon Foundation

[Image from the Nippon Foundation]

Yohei Sasakawa is the chairman of Japan’s Nippon Foundation, a private, non-profit foundation founded in 1962, dedicated to carrying out philanthropic activities. For the ocean sciences and tech community, his name is famous for the Seabed 2030 project.

The Seabed 2030 project, in collaboration with GEBCO, is a monumental initiative that aims to map the entire seafloor five years from now. It brings together industry partners, governments, researchers, organisations, and professionals to contribute data.

Sasakawa realises the value of mapping the world’s seabed in improving marine navigation, resolving climate change issues, and protecting our oceans; pledging US$ 2 million per year as seed funding for this project.

The Seabed 2030 initiative relies heavily on ocean technology as much as it does on the people involved. Ever since the project began, the use of AUVs, ROVs, AI, shared data clouds, and multibeam sonars has played an integral part in recording the ocean floor.

Professor Weicheng Cui, Rainbow Fish Ocean Technology Company & HAST

[Image from Westlake University]

Professor Weicheng Cui founded the first Hadal Science and Technology Centre (HAST) and served as its director. He is also the co-founder of the Rainbow Fish Ocean Technology Company in 2014, in collaboration with the former.

It is dedicated to leading deep-sea research and development of subsequent technologies. The mission is to build a fleet of manned and unmanned vehicles for routine dives to the bottom of ocean trenches, supporting safe and accurate deep-sea research.

In 2018, Cui and his team started developing two New-Gen 2 benthic landers for autonomous deep-sea research platforms designed to sit on the ocean floor’s benthic zone. They have also tested a 4,500m ARGO-like “Floater”, capable of gathering temperature, salinity, and pressure data, and can be tracked by a surface ship using a miniature USBL system.

Boyan Slat, The Ocean Project

[Image from The Ocean Project]

Ocean technology can also embrace sustainability efforts, like Dutch inventor Boyan Slat’s 2013 initiative, the Ocean Project. It is a nonprofit organisation that aims to develop and scale marine technologies with one primary goal: to rid the world’s oceans of plastic.

This passion-driven project for ocean cleanup currently has two main technologies: the System 03 for oceans and the Interceptor line for rivers and smaller waterways.

System 03 uses a 2.2 km floating barrier with a screen extending 4 metres below the surface, anchored on two slow-moving vehicles to catch garbage in the ocean. It’s also fashioned with underwater cameras and a Marine Animal Safety Hatch (MASH) to ensure marine life safety, as well as the use of AI for monitoring and data processing.

For rivers, the interceptor line is comprised of various solutions that help clean rivers and prevent garbage from entering the oceans. Notably, the Interceptor Tender and the Interceptor Original both collect garbage through a conveyor belt, with the former being a smaller barge and the latter being a large solar-powered vessel.

William Mowitt, NOAA Ocean Exploration

[Image from Orlando Sentinel]

The NOAA Ocean Exploration is the only US-funded federal programme dedicated to exploring the unknown ocean through extensive expeditions, scientific discoveries, technological advancements, data collection, and partnerships. William Mowitt serves as the director for the organisation’s Uncrewed Systems Operations Centre (NOAA UxSOC).

They're a household name in the ocean sciences sector, not just because of their contributions to research, but also due to their live expedition video streams, training opportunities, and outreach.

Mowitt’s responsibilities rely heavily on ocean technology as he and his team develop, test, and integrate uncrewed systems across NOAA’s missions. This includes the use of drones and autonomous marine vehicles for climate monitoring, fisheries management, and ocean exploration.

This fact leads to the NOAA UxSOC’s impressive track record in employing deep-sea technology efficiently and gathering valuable insights on marine ecosystems. Their partnership with the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration (GFOE) is a testament to this, with the development of AUVs like the D2 and Seirios, capable of exploring under high pressure, low light, and freezing conditions.

Jill Zande, MATE and MATE II

[Image from the MTS]

Jill Zande is known as a visionary i in ocean technology and sciences. She serves as the associate director and co-principal investigator for the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Centre, and the president and executive director for the MATE Inspiration for Innovation (MATE II).

She (under the MATE Centre) played a key role in developing the MATE ROV competition that started in 2001, together with the Marine Technology Society and the National Science Foundation. It is a groundbreaking global underwater robotics challenge for students, helping them learn real-life issues in the sector, and applying STEM skills to formulate solutions and create underwater tech that works.

MATE ROV drives ocean technology progress by inspiring students to explore the sector and fulfilling the need for future talent. It is open to elementary students to university students with the goal of designing, building, and operating ROVs to complete mission-based tasks.

How do these individuals influence the sector?

Individuals like Yohei Sasakawa, Professor Weicheng Cui, Boyan Slat, William Mowitt, and Jill Zande all essentialise a formula (if you will) that pushes for great influence on the ocean technology sector—strong will driven by passion and backed by data.

Power by way of executive labels or authority can indeed get someone far ahead, but it is purpose that makes all the difference. Take these five as an example and consider the impact their i visions have on the trajectory of ocean technology and sciences:

Yohei Sasakawa’s Seabed 2030 project with Nippon and GEBCO has inspired multiple expeditions and has pushed innovations to evolve and fulfil similar endeavours, which help both people and planet.
Professor Cui’s expertise and ambition in furthering ocean research and technology push the envelope for unmanned and manned marine instruments, influencing where the industry is headed.
Boyan Slat and the Ocean Project underscore the vital role of ocean technology in supporting blue recovery, urging more stakeholders to innovate with purpose and responsibility.
William Mowitt and the NOAA Ocean Exploration’s ambitious missions for deep sea exploration motivate innovators and organisations to advance ocean technology through open collaborations.
Jill Zande and MATE’s dedication to nurturing future talent in ocean technology through educational competitions highlights a bright future for the industry, ensuring progress and innovation in continuous motion.

Influence as a strong driving force

Considering that 80% of our oceans are still unknown, exploring our marine environments through innovative technologies, that ensure safe and efficient research, is our best bet in achieving discoveries. And nurturing collaboration and future talent to grow alongside such developments strengthens that aspiration.

Influence in this manner is significant in driving advancements in ocean technology, while inspiring greater involvement in the sector. It shows that key figures with impactful voices believe in their potential and share their collective vision in researching our oceans and protecting them.