Ocean engineering involves consideration of the whole-life of an engineered change in the natural environment. Design of any structure or device to be placed in the ocean requires accurate characterisation of the natural environment through site investigation and an understanding of the effect of the presence of the proposed structure on the natural environment; installation, commissioning, operation, intervention, maintenance and repair of infrastructure must be feasible within the boundary conditions of the environment; and decommissioning should minimize risk to personnel, environmental impact and financial cost. Developing intelligent and resilient solutions that enable alternative decommissioning scenarios can be used to establish new design paradigms to inform on the next generation ocean infrastructure. The Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Intelligent and Resilient Ocean Engineering addresses the technology gaps at each stage of life to deliver the next generation of engineered ocean systems.

A paradigm shift in ocean engineering is required to reflect the paradigm shift in the use of the oceans, to meet the demands of an increasing and increasingly wealthy population and the paradigm shift brought about by the digital revolution. Outcomes from this Chair will realise ocean resources in a safe and sustainable manner; harnessing wealth from the oceans while preserving their health.

The 10 year work programme will create intelligent and resilient ocean systems through development, deployment and commercialisation of tools and technologies that provide a step-change in how we characterise the oceans, design and operate resilient systems and inform new design paradigms for engineered maritime systems across the lifecycle; and establish an enduring Centre of Excellence in Intelligent and Resilient Ocean Engineering.

Associated Projects

Managing shelf sea carbon cycles and greenhouse gas release from physical disturbance of the seafloor (C-floor)

TAILWIND: susTainable stAtionkeepIng systems for fLoating WIND

ECOWind BOWIE ¨C Ecological Consequences of Offshore Wind: Benthic-Offshore Wind Interactions

Maritime Heritage Science facility

Geospatial Mapping of Impacts from Offshore Wind on Benthic Community and Heritage Assets

ROBOCONE - Intelligent robotics for next generation ground investigation and design

Testing the Waters of Ocean Narratives. The Indian Ocean: Narratives in Literature and Law

Technical, Legal and Policy Considerations for Critical Cable Infrastructure Monitoring

SEAMLESS - SharEd Anchor Multidirectional Load Envelopes with Strength Synthesis

Global comparative assessment of the role of oceans in a sustainable future

Solid Bulk Cargo Liquefaction: Strategies for Effective Control

Environmental and social consequences of decommissioning offshore infrastructure