On Friday, November 1, 2025, MS in Operational Oceanography (MOO) student Elliot Brown showcased a WasteShark autonomous surface vehicle at the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club in Brooklyn, strengthening community connections around urban water stewardship and emerging marine technologies. Representing the program and its partnership with RanMarine Technology, Brown and local RanMarine partners guided visitors through the WasteShark’s design, capabilities, and role in addressing floating debris in waterways like the Gowanus Canal. Attendees observed the vehicle in action as it collected surface litter, prompting conversations about innovative approaches to environmental monitoring, coastal resilience, and the growing need for accessible ocean observing tools in densely populated areas.
Two weeks later on Thursday, November 13, the full MOO cohort was joined by fellow students from the Graduate Program in Oceanography, bringing both RanMarine’s WasteSharks to Rutgers University’s Passion Puddle on the Cook campus for a hands-on demonstration. The event offered participants an opportunity to pilot the vehicles while helping remove seasonal organic debris from the pond’s surface. The cleanup served as both a practical demonstration of autonomous systems and a moment of community building within the department, illustrating how emerging technologies can support environmental stewardship at every scale, from urban estuaries to campus greenspaces.
Together, these activities highlight the program’s commitment to science communication, applied learning, and engagement with both local communities and the broader ocean observing community.