Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland

Students and mentors across 21 teams of junior high and high schools from Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Ontario will compete at the 2024 NL Regional Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Competition at the Marine Institute scheduled for May 3-4. Watch the live stream.

Teams are required to design and construct an ROV that they’ll pilot in MI’s flume tank to complete a series of underwater tasks. This year’s tasks relate to data collection, use of telecommunication cables, identifying healthy marine habitats, deploying floats to monitor ocean health and administering probiotics underwater.

The SCOUT class (junior high) class will begin setting up their ROVs and performing safety inspections on the evening of May 2. Their competition begins at 9:00 am on May 4 and runs until 5:30 pm. An awards ceremony will follow.

The RANGER (high school) class will begin setting up and performing safety inspections on the evening of May 5. Their competition commences at 9:00 am on May 4, running until 5:30 pm. Teams in this division are competing for the opportunity to travel to the International MATE Competition hosted in Tennessee from June 20-22.

Schools competing in the SCOUT class are: Centreville Academy, Roncalli Central High, St. Mark’s School, Random Island Academy, St. Kevin’s Junior High, Macdonald Drive Junior High and Froude Avenue Community Centre.

Schools competing in the RANGER class are: Labrador Straits Academy, Gonzaga High School, Roncalli Central High, Holy Heart of Mary High School, Mount Pearl Senior High School, Gander Collegiate, Clarenville High School, Tricentia Academy, Heritage Collegiate, Corner Brook Regional High School, O’Donel High School, Mobile Central High, Trafalgar Castle School and Sacred Heart School of Halifax.

The 2024 regional competition is supported by Equinor, Hibernia Management and Development Company Limited, GRI Simulation, Avalon Controls, Cooke Aquaculture, Mackay Marine Canada, SubC Imaging, Seamor Marine, eSonar, Cahill, TCarta, Marine Technology Society, Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency and the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University.