Bryant creates Ocean Task Force

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed an executive order June 1 creating the Ocean Task Force, an umbrella group of business, academic, military, and government groups to promote the Gulf Coast as a research and development testing ground for air and sea unmanned craft. The task will have representatives from the University of Southern Mississippi, Navy, Congress, Department of Marine Resources, and an array of other agencies. It will deliver a master plan to the governor within 120 days as to how the Mississippi coast can attract unmanned craft builders and operators. The OTF will also recommend how to develop and train a workforce to build and operate the unmanned craft. Monty Graham, director of USM’s School of Ocean Science and Technology, which offers training through its unmanned maritime systems programs, will be the chairman of the task force. (Source: Sun Herald 06/01/17)