Editorial

In our final issue of 2025, we explore new and innovative products and solutions to subsea challenges. Plus, we celebrate the new vessels taking to the seas this year and the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI).

We start strong with R/V David Packard, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute’s (MBARI) newest research vessel, designed by Glosten and built by Freire Shipyard. Its remotely operated vehicle (ROV) launch and recovery system and mission-specific design make it an industry leader, enabling MBARI to conduct next-generation ocean research. As such, David Packard has also graced the pages of this month’s Maritime Reporter as a “Great Ship of 2025.”

In an attempt to clean our oceans, some scientists have turned to AI, used to identify debris in sonar data. Wendy Laursen discusses such solutions to identify and collect ghost nets in projects from WWF and the Technical University of Munich.

In the defense sector, David Strachan looks at the underwater battle space. Under- and through-ice operations offer new opportunities to overcome navigational, defense and exploration challenges.

Justin E. Manley takes a first look into 2026 and the role of uncrewed maritime systems, which are rapidly evolving to deliver broader coverage, reduced operating costs, and lower operator workloads. And Rhonda J. Moniz shares the most recent episode of her Deep Dive podcast, “Women Beneath the Waves: Stories from U.S. Navy Divers Across 50 Years.”

We close with an updated list of new products and up-and-coming vessels to keep an eye on.

As the year comes to a close, I’d like to thank everyone I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with since joining MTR as managing editor in May. When I first cold emailed Greg Trauthwein in 2020 as a college junior looking for a summer internship, I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to stay as a contributing writer for five years—let alone that I’d move into this full-time role.

Thanks to everyone for your patience, continued curiosity and dedication to the industry. We’re glad you’re here and we’ll see more of each other in 2026.As the year comes to a close, I’d like to thank everyone I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with since joining MTR as Managing Editor in May. When I first cold emailed Greg Trauthwein in the summer of 2020 as a college junior looking for some work experience, I never pictured I’d stay as a contributing writer for five years—let alone that I’d move into this role.

Thanks to everyone for your patience, continued curiosity, and dedication to the industry. We’re glad you’re here, and we’ll see you in 2026.