Sam Fawcett (PML Applications’ Manager of the Centre for Coastal Technologies and Smart Sound Plymouth’s Head of Commercial) and Professor James Fishwick (Plymouth Marine Laboratory’s Head of Marine Technology and Autonomy group and Smart Sound Plymouth’s Head of Innovation) are attending the Ocean Tech Expo 2026 to lead the conversation about Commercial Applications of Marine Autonomy.

Maritime UK South West’s Ocean Tech Expo 2026 is hosted at the University of Plymouth campus in the Roland Levinski building on 17^th – 18^th June. The event will feature themed ocean technology sessions running consecutively in two lecture theatres covering a range of topics related to innovation and development.

With Plymouth becoming a hive of activity for marine autonomous trials following the launch of the National Centre for Marine Autonomy, this year’s Ocean Tech Expo is set to be an exciting and thought-provoking event on the topic of ‘Driving Technology Development for Sustainable Exploitation of the rapidly growing Ocean Economy’.

Plymouth Marine Laboratory’s (PML) Professor James Fishwick is chairing Session 3 (15:00 – 16:30, Lecture Theatre A) on 18^th June, titled ‘Commercial Applications of Marine Autonomy’. During this session, PML Applications’ Sam Fawcett will present on ‘Smart Sound Test and Development Area’.

Sam commented –

‘There have been so many fantastic developments in Plymouth and the South West for ocean technology and, in particular, marine autonomy that there will be so much to discuss and learn at the Ocean Tech Expo. I’m looking forward to sharing Smart Sound Plymouth’s growth and commercial services as part of my talk and joining the sessions. I hope to see familiar and new faces at the PML stand to have conversations about the capabilities in the South West and the development of our autonomous trials methodology at Smart Sound Plymouth.’

Representatives from PML-led Smart Sound Plymouth autonomous technology testing facility will be available at the PML stand to answer your questions, including Sam.

Smart Sound Plymouth is the UK’s leading testing facility for marine autonomy, uncrewed systems, and advanced ocean technologies. Whether you are conducting commercial or research grant projects in this field, we support a range of funding types with expertise across defence, offshore industries and marine science.

This two-day event will host maritime professionals from a range of companies, bringing together local South West organisations to hear 80+ speakers discuss applications of technology in the defence, energy, maritime and coastal infrastructure sectors. Maritime UK South West expects to welcome around 400 delegates to take part in this key event in the South West calendar. With so many recent developments in Plymouth and the surrounding areas regarding ocean technology, it is set to be an exciting hub for learning, collaboration and sharing.

Connect with Sam Fawcett –

LinkedIn: sam-fawcett95

Email: saf@pml.ac.uk

Ocean Tech Expo | 17^th – 18^th June 2026 | Roland Levinski Building, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA