Nova Scotia Branch Inaugural Meeting
29 June 2010 Nova Scotia Branch Evening Meeting
Report
On June 29, 2010 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II boarded HMCS Sackville in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada to continue the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Canadian Navy. As she did so, it is unlikely that she noticed the two dozen or so enthusiastic underwater technophiles who gathered in Summit Place, less than 200 yards away, to sow the seeds for the latest international branch of the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT). Tony Hall, CEO of Walaptega Marine Ltd and a long-time member of the SUT, hosted this initial meeting at Welaptega’s offices on the Halifax waterfront. John Scott of Dominion Diving Ltd organised the meeting months in advance, not realising that his chosen date would coincide with Her Majesty’s visit to Halifax. Such is chance; perhaps this unnoticed beginning, on such an auspicious day, bodes well for the newest branch of the SUT.
The group of approximately two dozen enthusiasts who attended this meeting included a mix of members and non members. Everyone present expressed their belief in the need for a learned society to expose and espouse the underwater technology proponents present in eastern Canada. A Nova Scotia branch of the SUT is a logical fit for a region that is home to a wealth of government and private organisations actively involved in underwater technology.
The Nova Scotia branch promises to be very active and intends to hold regular technical meetings for the benefit of its members and will contribute regularly and significantly to the activities of the SUT. Perhaps, as a result, a member of the Royal Household will bring to Her Majesty’s attention her coincidental involvement in the creation of the Halifax Branch of the SUT.