AGM and Members' Dinner
10 December 2009 London, UK
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During the day, for the first time all Chairs of the SUT committees around the globe were invited to London HQ to meet and discuss their particular interests. Left to right: (First row) Ian
Gallett, Jim Mann, David Brookes, Peter Metcalf, Colin Summerhayes,
Jonathan Evans, (Fourth row) David Kirkley, Jim Cattanach, Moya Crawford, (Fifth row) John Bevan, Martin Sayer, Hugh Howells, Richard Luff, Terry Griffiths, Brian Threlfall |
SUT Award recipients. Left to right: (front row) Martyn Witton, Melissa Saeland Dr Colin Summerhayes, Ray Phillips, (middle row) Ben Smith, Dr Jonathan Evans, Brian Threlfall, (back row) Bob Manson and Phil Hawthorn |
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Report
The SUT announced the election of its new president at its AGM on 10 December. During the meeting aboard HQS Wellington moored at London’s Embankment, David Brookes announced the appointment of Dr Colin Summerhayes, who was also made Honorary Fellow during the SUT’s annual awards and new fellowship presentation.
Having graduated in geology from University College London (1963), Dr Summerhayes has a PhD in applied geochemistry from Imperial College London (1970), and holds MSc (1966) and DSc (1986) degrees in geology from Victoria University, New Zealand.
Throughout his long and accomplished career, Colin has been involved in a number of significant research projects concerning geo-oceanography and has edited and authored various books and papers. Since March 2004, Colin has been Executive Director of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, based at Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) in Cambridge, and a Member of the SPRI. There he has stimulated development of observing systems for the cryosphere and the Southern Ocean, co-authored two recent papers reviewing Antarctic climate and is co-editor of Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment 2007–2008: A Contribution to the International Polar Year.
He is currently a Fellow and Chartered Marine Scientist of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), where he is a member of the Science Advisory Working Group, a member of the Publications Review Board, and an editor of the Journal of Operational Oceanography, of which he was a founder.
The evening took on a different format than previous years, as members were invited to stay on for dinner after the AGM and awards ceremony. The new timetable for the event saw the AGM and awards ceremony begin at 17:30, followed by a drinks reception from 18:15 to 19:45, and then the dinner, attended by 100-plus members. The evening proved to be very successful, with positive feedback from all the attendees.
After the dinner, a game of ‘Heads and Tails’ was lead by Ian Gallett, now Business Development Executive of the SUT, and was eventually won by Dr Summerhayes, who immediately contributed his winnings to the Educational Support Fund. The game raised a fantastic sum of £800 for the Fund, and all participants were thanked for their contributions. Additionally, Ian was thanked for his many years of hard work as leading the SUT, while Dr Bob Allwood was welcomed in his new position as CEO by the membership.
Preceding the dinner was the
SUT awards ceremony, which featured various awards honouring those
who have made exceptional contributions to underwater technology.
The Tom Patten Memorial Award for outstanding final-year
undergraduate student was awarded to Melissa Saeland of the
University of Wales, Bangor. The BP/SUT for the best thesis in
offshore and subsea engineering and technology was awarded to Ben
Smith of the University of Southampton for his project, ‘A The
development of a bio-inspired method to recover energy from unsteady
flow’. The postgraduate award will be presented at the Oceanology
International in March 2010.
The Houlder Cup was awarded to Dr Phil Nuytten for his contribution to underwater operations. He could not attend the awards ceremony, so arrangements will be made for him to receive his award at a later date. The David Partridge Commemorative Award, jointly sponsored by the SUT and the former Offshore Energy Technology Panel, was made to Ray Phillips.
The President’s Award this
year was presented to Martyn Witton in recognition of his long and
distinguished career in underwater technology and his tremendous
contribution to the success of the Society in recent years. Everyone
was delighted that Martin could make the trip from Jakarta to attend
and receive his award.
SUT Fellowships were awarded to Phil Hawthorn, Bob Manson, Dr
Jonathan Evans and Brian Threlfall. All attendees were pleased to
see Brian, who came from Melbourne, Australia, to receive his award
at the AGM. Others receiving Fellowship awards to be given locally
are Prof Segen Estefen in Rio de Janeiro, Jim Leven and Harry Mackay
in Perth, Australasia, and Phil Collins in Houston, USA.