Page 38: of Marine Technology Magazine (July 2020)

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Graham explains to Islesboro, ME the majority of marine environments Open Ocean to reach more people students how the Sea Rocket works; remain unknown to humanity. As a re- around the world and to build a global

Hawkes with diver Oliver Hawkes, in sult, Hawkes hopes to encourage more capacity for ocean exploration and ob- 2015 piloting the Dragon; Hawkes and collaboration and new innovators in the servation. “We collaborate with com-

Richard Branson ‘? ying’ Graham’s fa- ? eld, as well as evolving subsea tech- panies and organizations that produce vorite sub, Super Falcon looking for a nology to provide access to the public. robust, off-the-shelf and DIY low-cost great white shark, Guadalupe Island, “There is a natural progression of human solutions that the ocean accessible for

Mexico 2010.

access and technology innovation. The all,” said Hawkes. Future partnerships, ? rst forays into new spaces are typically to name a few, include Paralenz (com- enabled by the government because of pact dive cameras with built-in data col- the high cost of these early-stage efforts, lection sensors such as CTD), Hohonu but there is constant pressure to lower Inc. (low-cost water level sensor and costs and expand access,” he explained. data loggers), and Oceanography for “Hence, the mission of HAWX is to in- Everyone (DIY CTD data collector). troduce both unmanned and manned so- Hawkes’ future projects well align lutions, giving the general public access with his mission of innovation and ac- and the choice of going themselves or cessibility for all. Citing the Deep? ight sending a probe.” Super Falcon as a favorite past project

To enable local communities to con- and a personal engineering challenge, duct ocean ground truthing and data col- but not ? t for the market at the time, lections, Hawkes believes there needs to Hawkes sees the key for the next gen- be a major shift to affordable observa- eration of manned submersible to be tion and data gathering technologies. “I “focusing on what is wanted, rather than can make anything complicated, heavy what I or the deep submergence com- and big — I’ve proven that — but what’s munity expects.” He added, “I am now needed is a way to quickly, easily and building prototypes that have little in affordably spot-sample to collect vi- common with traditional submersibles sualization of the water column and and are more like a hybrid of an exoskel- bottom, thus giving them access to ob- eton that assists a human to dive more serve, understand and manage their own naturally.” On top of his new designs, ocean backyards,” he said. As a result, Hawkes has begun working with stu- the SeaRocket, a “touch-and-go” unte- dents, inspired by their ability to listen, © Hawkes © Isleboro Central School thered lander that uses a consumer HD the questions they ask, and their desire video camera (like a GoPro), was born. to world real world problems. “I’m im-

The SeaRocket SR3000 Pro series is pressed by their enthusiasm and passion designed for research and commercial for making the world a better place. It use and can carry various sensor pay- makes me feel very optimistic about the loads, such as conductivity, temperature future,” he said. and depth (CTD). SR3000s, as Hawkes For Hawkes, with experience comes pointed out, “weigh under 20 pounds, perspective. Exploring what is possible, have a depth rating up to 30,000 feet, especially when unconventional, does and have a long high-visibility mast not always equal popularity. “I accept above the surface for visual location.” this and now consider one of my proud-

Additionally, the product is fully au- est achievements as being called ‘the lu- tomatic, does not require batteries and natic fringe’ by Dave Gallo, then Woods uses a small biodegradable descent Hole Oceanographic Institution’s direc- weight to dive and surface. Later this tor of special projects,” said Hawkes. summer will see the SeaRocket STEM “Perhaps I can help see the future, but

Kit, a smaller, lighter family-friendly it’s different from what is expected.” probe for exploring bodies of water less With HAWX Open Ocean and Hawkes’ than 130 feet deep. revolutionary innovation and passion, a

Despite the presence of COVID-19, future of heightened and accessible sub- collaborations are essential for HAWX sea exploration is ahead.

© Amos Nachoum

July/August 2020 38 MTR

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