Memorial University of Newfoundland is hosting the 2007 MATE international competition. Events will be held at Marine Institute (MI) of Memorial University and the National Research Council’s Institute for Ocean Technology (IOT). The unique facilities at MI and IOT are allowing the competition to simulate real-world environmental conditions like never before.

For example, MI is home to the world’s largest flume tank, with a water capacity of 1.7 million liters. The tank can generate currents ranging from 0-1 meters per second, challenging teams as they attempt to recover the severed anchor of an ocean observing buoy. Family, friends, and fans can observe the action from a viewing gallery that looks into the side of the flume tank's test section, giving them a completely new and unique perspective on the competition.

The IOT’s offshore engineering basin is used to replicate the extreme ocean environment; waves, wind, and currents can be controlled to achieve various sea states. The basin is usually used to test ships, underwater vehicles, oil rigs, and other structures destined for offshore operation, but during the competition it will host teams tasked with preparing a subsea wellhead for oil production.

Out of the three facilities, the IOT’s ice tank is probably the most unique. The water surface can be frozen and the air temperature within the facility maintained as low as -30º Celsius, providing teams with a very real sense of what it’s like to work in extreme conditions. Navigating under the ice sheet to collect “algae” samples and deploy an acoustic sensor will push teams to their extremes.

For more information about the facilities and the mission challenges, visit the competition's web site.