Coast Guard officers and oceanographers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography celebrated the launch of the Blue Technology Center of Expertise Friday.
Two Coast Guard service members will work at the center full-time to help identify technology that it can use in Guard missions.
Scripps has researched and developed several unmanned maritime vehicles. The Coast Guard says the technology can help them in search and rescue efforts and in enforcing fishing regulations.
"Using unmanned surface vehicles as an example allows us to detect when legal or illegal activity is going on and to take our precious few assets and put them in the right places at the right time," said Vice Adm. Mike McCallister from the Coast Guard.
The scientists at Scripps say the partnership is exciting for them, too.
"It's very satisfying in this line of work to see your technology and efforts and science used in ways beyond just a scientific publication, being able to apply that information, making lives safer and more efficient operations for the Coast Guard," said Eric Terrill from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
