Wicker's ocean tech development

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) praised the Senate’s passage of his “Commercial Engagement through Ocean Technology Act” legislation. The bipartisan legislation – introduced with Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii); and Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) companion legislation in the House of Representatives – will advance the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) use of unmanned maritime systems; encourage private sector research and development; and ensure marine data is made available for academic, national security, and commercial interests. The legislation passed the House last week. “Unmanned maritime systems are revolutionizing the way we explore our nation’s oceans,” Wicker said in a media release. This legislation will provide a “much-needed boost to NOAA’s efforts to harness the capabilities of this technology by leveraging the Navy’s expertise.” Unmanned maritime systems are remotely piloted or autonomous vehicles that collect ocean data. The Navy has already committed significant resources towards advancing unmanned systems for national security. NOAA will work with the Navy to bring unmanned systems data collection techniques to the civilian side. Mississippi’s Gulf Coast “Blue Economy” also stands to benefit from increased investment in ocean technology. The coast is “one of the few places in the United States where extensive testing of unmanned maritime systems occurs, according to Wicker. The University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State University are excelling in unmanned systems research and both operate on the Gulf Coast. (Source: U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker 12/18/18)