Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Seawolf Underwater Robotics Engineering Team, the SeaWolves, has arrived to compete at the 2024 MATE World Championship held this year in Kingsport, Tennessee. The SeaWolves are competing in the Explorer category, team EX17, against 29 other qualifying teams from across the globe, with some teams in their category traveling all the way from China, Italy, Egypt, and Hong Kong.

From June 20-22 the Kingsport Aquatic Center will be the epicenter of innovation as it hosts the 22nd MATE ROV Competition World Championship. The team had to design and construct their remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and submit a rigorous qualifying video to qualify for the World Championship.

Members of the SeaWolves representing the team at competition this year are Vee Berryhill of Smithdale, Derek Brown of Hazlehurst, Jakob Lea of Ruth, and Harleigh Porter of Bogue Chitto with advisors Bo Johnson and Carey Williamson. SeaWolves supporters can watch the live stream of competition at: https://www.twitch.tv/mateinspires1.

The SeaWolves are hoping to continue a history of excellence at the competition, as they placed fourth in the nation in 2015, eighth in 2016, and ninth in 2017. The missions the robot must complete will be performed in an Olympic-size pool housed in the Aquatics Center in front of a panel of judges. The ROV must be able to perform all tasks. Not only must students demonstrate the competency of their ROV through specific missions, but they are also required to market them. Each team is required to give a presentation on why their ROV is the best choice for completing the missions and have a board to display technical documentation.

Each year, the MATE ROV Competition pushes students to the forefront of real-world underwater technology. The 2024 competition is no exception, with innovative mission tasks designed to address critical global issues under the theme of ‘CREATING SOLUTIONS.’ In preparation, participants have engaged in diverse and impactful projects, from expanding the Global Ocean Observing System, protecting and restoring ecosystems, and developing ocean-based climate solutions. This year’s tasks include deploying advanced ocean observing assets for data collection, installing state-of-the-art submarine telecommunications cables, administering probiotics to heal diseased coral, identifying healthy habitats for lake sturgeon, and deploying autonomous robotic floats to monitor ocean health. To learn more, visit materovcompetition.org.

Membership on the SeaWolves is open to all Co-Lin students and is an opportunity to gain skills in machining, CAD, electronics, engineering, and marketing. Co-Lin is the only community college in the state that has an underwater robotics team.

The team would like to thank Brookhaven Country Club for allowing them to use their pool for practice. The SeaWolves are also grateful for the financial support of Georgia Pacific Monticello, and Copiah-Lincoln Community College.