Committee Objectives

The MUV Committee plans to concentrate its first level of efforts to bring the leaders of the industry and their user base to meet at a yearly conference with a focus on manned vehicles technology. The second part will disseminate current operational and technical information on submersible vehicles. This is planned through articles, website content and continuous maintenance of the Submersible Database. Finally, public education and advocacy is fostered by making this level of professional information accessible for all members and to the public for general outreach. The present plan includes several activities:

 1) Organizing the 3rd annual Manned Submersible conference, sponsored by the MTS MUV Committee, as part of the Underwater Intervention 2006 conference. The venue is the only conference of its type in the world, dedicated to manned underwater vehicles and attracts operators, manufacturers, owners and users from around the world, in the fields of research, commercial and military activities.

 2) Keep MTS members apprised of the work of the committee through articles, the MTS website, and targeted communications, to promote membership benefits and increase membership base.

 3) Present plan includes Publishing of a series of articles on the State of manned submersible technology around the world. Part I "Manned Research Submersibles: State of Technology 2005" was published in the Fall 2005 issue of the MTS Journal (Vol. 39, No. 3).

 4) Update the Website to provide general information for public access as well as detailed technical information resulting from the vast amount of material collected at the annual conference. This includes an actively maintained database of all operating manned underwater vehicles around the world, including research, tourism, commercial and rescue submersibles, as well as Atmospheric Dive Suits.

 5) Collect and centralize relevant Regulatory and Technical information resources from the member community to post on the web site for reference.

 6) Initiate outreach efforts with other professional groups/societies with related technical interests. This includes activities with local MTS Sections groups and ADCI.  

 7) Meet again at Underwater Intervention 2008, on January 29th in New Orleans, for the 5th Annual MTS Manned Submersible Program.