Hingham, Massachusetts, USA — Maggie Merrill reminds us it may seem like a ways off, but planning to attend the 4th Ocean Technology Workshop, “Technoloogies for Port and Harbor Security,” in the fall of 2004 is a smart move. The Hyatt Regency on Goat Island in Newport, Rhode Island, is slated to accommodate several hundred trainers and attendees to what may prove to be the best Ocean Technology Workshop yet, she said. Dates are October 19-21, 2004. After three successful events, the Marine & Oceanographic Technology Network (MOTN) and its partnering organizations have stuck to a simple formula — provide a professional yet casual setting for companies to train existing customers, sales representatives, and serious potential customers on the their most recent products.

MOTN moved the event from Plymouth, Massachusetts, to Newport to take advantage of being close to some key customers, great underwater features close to the docks, and access to some fun places to relax and build relationships for the future. Newport is home to the U.S. Naval Underwater Warfare Center, the Naval War College, SAIC’s Marine Science & Technology Division, many defense contractors; world class yacht racing; and proximity to the University of Rhode Island and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. There may even be some tours set up for the last day of the event at some of these locations. “We can run more workshops and even more equipment demonstrations this time, since the docks are located steps away from where the workshops will take place”, said Bill Charbonneau, event co-chairman. The docks are located close to very deep water in Narragansett Bay where there are many interesting underwater features that will make the equipment demonstrations extre! mely interesting, he noted.

Merrill also announced that the northeast regional training workshops for Coastal Oceanographics Inc.’s HYPACK mini-camp and the Service Argos Inc. System Users Group will be repeated in conjunction with the 4th OTW. In addition, the New England Section of the Marine Technology Society will again be sponsoring and coordinating a star-studded Technical Speaker Track to take place each afternoon. Last time these talks were standing room only. For all the details about offering training, registration, or exhibiting, contact Merrill on +1 (781) 740-1456, e-mail: martrep@aol.com, or go directly to http://www.motn.org/. All registration materials are available on line. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact MOTN executive director Steve Withrow, P.O. Box 1950, N. Falmouth, MA 02556; +1 (508) 548-3246, e-mail info@motn.org.