Exploring the Tools Behind Ocean Discovery

On Wednesday, 18 March 2026, members of the UCT-MARiS Early Career Researcher (ECR) community along with MARiS Deputy Director, Robyn Verrinder and EBE Electronics and IT Principal Technical Officer, Justin Pead, had the exciting opportunity to visit Sea Technology Services (STS) for an immersive behind-the-scenes tour of ocean innovation in action.

On behalf of UCT-MARiS, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Sean Lavis (STS) and Sandy Thomalla (CSIR-SOCCO) for hosting such an engaging and insightful experience, and for sharing the incredible work being done to better understand our oceans.

With 16 ECRs in attendance, the group was treated to a series of presentations and live demonstrations showcasing the cutting-edge tools and technologies used in ocean research. From wave gliders and Slocum gliders to Argo floats, buoys, CTDs, and the SkiMonkey Towed Camera, participants gained a first-hand look at how ocean parameters and marine biodiversity are monitored and studied. The tour also included a walk through the STS workshop, where many of these instruments are assembled and maintained, offering valuable insight into the engineering behind ocean science.

Another highlight of the day was seeing the iconic RV SA Agulhas II, docked at the East Pier, bringing the realities of at-sea research closer to home.

The visit to STS left attendees feeling inspired and energized, with a deeper appreciation for the vital services that Sea Technology Services provides to the marine science community, as well as the impactful work of the Southern Ocean Carbon-Climate Observatory in advancing our understanding of ocean-climate systems.

To learn more, visit:

• Sea Technology Services: https://www.seatechnology.co.za/
• SOCCO: https://socco.org.za/