The 3rd International Workshop on Scientific Submarine Cables and Related Technologies was successfully held at the Graduate School of Mathematical Science of the University of Tokyo from June 25 to 27. More than 100 researchers from around the world attended the workshop including USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy UK, Korea and Japan. It was organized by IEEE OES Japan Chapter, Earthquake Research Institute (ERI) of the University of Tokyo, Institute for Industrial Science of the University of Tokyo, Ocean Research Institute of the University of Tokyo and Japan Marine Science and Technology Center. Prof. Junzo Kasahara, ERI of the University of Tokyo and Dr. Alan Chave co-chaired the workshop.

Underwater observation systems using submarine cables provides long-term continuous data from ocean bottom in real-time that can hardly obtained otherwise. Many cabled observatories have already been constructed and produced good results. Besides, recent progress in underwater optical telecommunication systems enables to construct flexible submarine cable network with huge data transmission capacity. Based on this background, some new projects to develop innovative cabled observatories have been initiated.On the other hand, the first generation of underwater telecommunication cables begins to retire, that will provide scientists new opportunity.

SSC’03 aimed at providing a forum for exchanging information between scientists and engineers working in the earth and ocean sciences and underwater technologies. It covered both scientific and engineering topics, including scientific results using scientific submarine cables, previous and future system, technology on observation, AUV/ROV, Communication, power supply and data/interface standardization. All the session were held in series with 67 papers presented. Related meetings on international cooperation and re-use of retired underwater telecommunication cables were also held during the workshop, and made considerable progress.

On the first day, the participants enjoyed a sociable reception at the neighbor neat hotel with delicious dishes and drinks, and deepen friendships. On the second and the third day, applicants had fun of short technical tours to the Underwater Research Center of IIS, the University of Tokyo where Prof. Ura presented the cutting-edge research on AUV.
(K. Asakawa, Secretary of SSC’03)