Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Announces Cluster Building Vitality Project

One of Four Ocean Supercluster Projects Announced Today in Dartmouth

Watch the Live Announcement Here…

(Dartmouth, NS) – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced four projects today including the cluster-building project called Vitality. The Vitality Project is a transformative approach to address the shared data challenges of the ocean economy. This project will capitalize on Canada’s ocean data to deliver definitive commercial outcomes to the businesses involved by advancing ocean data analysis, management and visualization capabilities, and products.

With a total project value of more than $3.8 million, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster will provide funding in the amount of $1.5 million with the balance of funding coming from project partners. Vitality is led by Pisces Research Project Management Inc. together with project partners from across Canada including: Dalhousie University, Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc., Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy, University of Victoria, St. Lawrence Global Observatory, Tula Foundation and The Hakai Institute, Marine Renewables Canada, and COINAtlantic.

This collaboration will see the development of new, applicable low-cost data streams, and the development of tools to manage those streams, as well as software that lowers the barrier to entry for the application of this data. Vitality will develop new training programs to address skill gaps while incrementally building on existing resources and expertise, creating ten new jobs and with 100 trainees. The project will also build tools and linkages between the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS) and three emerging environmental technology and data-heavy ocean sectors: aquaculture, tidal power, and offshore wind. Ocean Supercluster members will lead the development of the tools needed to acquire, manage, and visualize data to improve the quality of decision-making processes. These partnerships will result in the realization of commercial outcomes for the businesses involved and additional capacity for these important and emerging sectors, demonstrating the value of shared data in the modern economy.

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is an industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling the shared challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally-relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. To encourage innovation and trigger new industry investment during these challenging times, the Ocean Supercluster supplemented its core programs with an additional project stream called Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP). This enables the development of smaller projects on a shorter timeline that deliver tangible outcomes, while continuing to build resiliency in our ocean sectors.

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Quotes 

“Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is energizing the ocean economy through its support of innovative ventures, like Vitality, that will bring even more partners together to enhance our country’s position as a hub for ocean data collection and management. This cluster-building project will build critical capacity and provide solutions to real-life ocean sector data challenges.” The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

 

“The future of ocean is digital. On that journey, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is thrilled to announce The Vitality Project today, helping to unlock the potential of data, leveraging resources, closing gaps, and expanding capabilities as we work together to grow our ocean economy in an inclusive, sustainable way.” Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

 

“Vitality will provide access to well documented and structured data, addressing some of the largest barriers to more advanced analytical exploration in the ocean economy. Bringing together this diverse group of organizations will ensure students, researchers and companies are better equipped to make more informed decisions and develop innovative products and services that support critical growth in the ocean sector in Canada.” Jennifer LaPlate, Executive Director, DeepSense

 

“3D Wave Design is excited to be part of Vitality project. As Indigenous technology company we are pleased to contribute to a “Two-eye seeing” approach to incorporating traditional Mi’kmaq perspectives and knowledge with the latest in ocean data acquisition, analysis for sustainable development and conservation. Canada’s Ocean Super Cluster vision and support was key.” Barry Stevens, President SS&DI/3D Wave Design

 

“Vitality will supplement open data initiatives and provide visibility to data which would otherwise be siloed, supporting growth in a Blue Economy that is increasingly dependent on ocean observations and forecasts; it is further an important step forward in supporting the sustainability and economic value of our ever-changing oceans.” Shayla Fitzsimmons, Executive Director, CIOOS Atlantic

 

“We’re still in the early days of a digital transformation that we didn’t invite but which we cannot avoid. Data plays an essential role in the Blue Economy, so the Vitality project is an essential investment in the people, infrastructure, and technology needed for Canada to remain internationally competitive.” Mike Smit, CIOOS Atlantic & Associate Professor, Dalhousie University

 

“The opportunity of Canada’s ocean economy is massive, like our coastline. So is the challenge of leveraging ocean data for economic benefit. If we truly want to advance Canada’s ocean leadership and take advantage of our vast ocean resources and talent, we need to work together to create and share ocean data tools, skills and infrastructure. VITALITY, leveraging the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System, is a perfectly timed opportunity to do just that.” Kes Morton, CEO, Pisces Research Project Management

 

“A significant barrier to entry and expansion of the aquaculture industry is the time, effort and cost to collect relevant data from multiple sources to evaluate site feasibility. Centralizing oceanographic data on CIOOS substantially increases accessibility and interoperability for use by many ocean sector users. The Centre for Marine Applied Research (CMAR) is pleased to be a project partner as this tool is significantly valuable to determine the optimal and sustainable use of our oceans.” Leah Lewis-McCrea, Research Manager, CMAR

 

“As an emerging sector, there are many data requirements and needs for marine renewable energy – and many gaps. The VITALITY project will support industry in finding, accessing and using data to identify optimal sites for development. This is particularly useful for the marine renewable energy industry because potential sites and ecosystems are all unique.” Elisa Obermann, Executive Director, Marine Renewables Canada

 

“COVE is excited to see the partnerships of our tenants at COVE and across Canada in the Vitality project. The project will advance shared data for the aquaculture, tidal power and offshore wind industries that will lead to a more productive and profitable Blue Economy.”  Melanie Nadeau, CEO of COVE

(St. John’s, NL) – Today Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced three projects from its Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP) stream, including the Marine SAR Helicopter Mission Simulation Project. This project will deliver a new device and capability to train search and rescue (SAR) operators under realistic mission scenarios including turbulent flow zones, sea state, complex ship and offshore installation geometries and rescue rafts while simulating the full array of  east coast Canada and arctic harsh environmental conditions.

With a total project value of $2,058,616, the Ocean Supercluster will provide $1,029,308 in funding for the project with the balance in funding coming from industry. The Marine SAR Helicopter Mission Simulation Project is led by Bluedrop Training and Simulation partnered with Cougar Helicopters and the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland to offer the new hoist simulator training for all SAR operators requiring specialized training in marine, offshore oil and gas, arctic and general harsh ocean operating environments.

With nearly seventy percent of search and rescue occurring in marine environments, this project will directly increase the safety of personnel working in ocean sectors and improve the quality of decision making and operational intelligence of real-time marine operations. This will represent the first training device to provide realistic simulation of performing a hoist over oceans, various support vessels and offshore platforms, using state of the art virtual simulation that leverages data analytics and Artificial Intelligence to provide best in class, real-time feedback and adaptive learning for ocean rescue activity with global applications.

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is an industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling the shared challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally-relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. To encourage innovation and trigger new industry investment during these challenging times, the Ocean Supercluster supplemented its core programs with an additional project stream called Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP). This enables the development of smaller projects on a shorter timeline that deliver tangible outcomes, while continuing to build resiliency in our ocean sectors.

 

Quotes

 

“I am thrilled to see Canada’s Ocean Supercluster building such momentum, adding three new and highly-innovative projects to its Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program. By investing in Made-in-Canada technologies and solutions, like the Marine SAR Helicopter Mission Simulation Project, Superclusters are energizing the ocean sector ecosystem, which is really exciting for Canada. This kind of cross-sector collaboration is what will make the difference in pushing Canada further in the ocean technology market.” The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry

 

“By working together, Bluedrop Training and Simulation, Cougar Helicopters, and the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland will develop and commercialize the first device to leverage data analytics and Artificial Intelligence in the delivery of realistic and adaptive training for marine search and rescue teams. We are excited to see our members come together to collaborate and solve shared ocean challenges.” Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

 

“The project will enable Bluedrop to offer a new Sikorski S92 Hoist Mission Training Simulator (HMTS) for all SAR operators requiring specialization in arctic, offshore and marine operations. The expertise of each team member will provide a new training service and will guarantee quality training and state-of-the-art virtual simulation technology to meet this operational requirement.

Derrick Rowe, CEO of Bluedrop Training & Simulation.

 

“The HMTS will be installed at Cougar Helicopter’s facility in St. John’s, where Cougar’s team of professionals provide 24/7/365 SAR capabilities to its offshore oil and gas clients using a dedicated and specially configured Sikorsky S92 helicopter. Cougar’s operational experts will help define new training qualification and safety standards.” Hank Williams, COO of Cougar Helicopters

 

“The graduate students and postdocs from Memorial University who will be contributing to this project will have the unique opportunity to benefit from industry collaboration experience. Students will be primarily housed in the Ocean Safety Lab at the Marine Institute of Memorial University. A diversity of students are actively being recruited including qualified female, aboriginal and ethnically diverse candidates.”   Dr. Heather Carnahan, MI, School of Maritime Studies

 

Watch the project video announcement here.

 

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Media contact:

Nancy Andrews

nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca

709-725-7070

 

 

(St. John’s, NL) – Today Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced three projects from its Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP) stream, including the CoLab Enterprise Project. Through the collaboration of startups, SMEs and other partners in ocean, this project provides a global solution for ocean sectors with an increasing focus on achieving greater productivity, remote operations, and environmental technologies.

With a total project value of $2,801,948, the Ocean Supercluster will provide $1,634,563 in funding for the project, with $1,167,385 in funding coming from industry. The CoLab Enterprise Project is led by CoLab Software partnered with Genoa Design, Kraken Robotics and Petroleum Research Newfoundland and Labrador to build and commercialize CoLab’s highly configurable, enterprise-ready review and engineering communication platform that supports the future of Agile Model-Based Enterprises and Digital Twin Solutions.

The CoLab Enterprise Project will help contribute to Canada’s competitive advantage in the digital development and management of complex engineering projects with a cloud-based solution that combines 3D design review technology and mechanical focused issue tracking to securely support thousands of users working together in real-time. Today there is no comparable platform on the market that combines these capabilities for digitalization and collaboration.

This technology is not only applicable to the partners involved and ocean sectors, but has broad applications across all verticals of the manufacturing sector for any company wishing to manage complex projects while reducing costs, and improving efficiency and quality.

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is an industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling the shared challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally-relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. To encourage innovation and trigger new industry investment during these challenging times, the Ocean Supercluster supplemented its core programs with an additional project stream called Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP). This enables the development of smaller projects on a shorter timeline that deliver tangible outcomes, while continuing to build resiliency in our ocean sectors.

 

Quotes

“I am thrilled to see Canada’s Ocean Supercluster building such momentum, adding three new and highly-innovative projects to its Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program. By investing in Made-in-Canada technologies and solutions, like the CoLab Enterprise Project, Superclusters are energizing the ocean sector ecosystem, which is really exciting for Canada.  This kind of cross-sector collaboration is what will make the difference in pushing Canada further in ocean technology market.”

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry

 

“Canada’s Ocean Supercluster brings companies of all sizes together with partners to deliver game-changing solutions in ocean. We are thrilled to see a young SME like CoLab lead the development and commercialization of a product together with the support of more established organizations that will fundamentally change the capability for teams who work remotely to manage complex engineering projects.” Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

 

“CoLab is very proud to be partnering with Genoa, Kraken and PRNL to build the future of how engineering teams work together. Strong relationships with industry leaders such as our AOSP partners make all the difference in being able to innovate and iterate quickly during the unprecedented challenges of 2020. Executing this OSC AOSP project will position CoLab to become the global industry leader and provide a mission-critical solution for the design and manufacturing sector.” 

Adam Keating CEO – CoLab Software

 

“Genoa is proud to be a part of the ingenuity being built right here in Newfoundland and Labrador’s ocean tech sector. The collaborative solutions being driven from local partnerships like these are what fuels our economy and makes our province the innovation hub it’s proven to be.”

Gina Pecore, CEO – Genoa Design

 

“We think this project has the potential to deliver a very innovative solution that will help our members – and other ocean industries and beyond, for that matter – digitize their design review processes, reducing costs and risks. PRNL is pleased to collaborate in this Ocean Supercluster project and look forward to working with CoLab.” Dave Finn, CEO – PRNL

 

“Kraken Robotic Systems Inc. is pleased to partner with CoLab Software on their AOSP CoLab Enterprise project. Kraken has been working closely with CoLab for two years, evaluating the CoLab Software platforms and helping to streamline Kraken’s engineering design review and communication processes. As Kraken continues to expand our operations domestically and internationally,  it is important that we engage with technology companies that provide us with innovative tools to help us collaborate between offices, across oceans, and with customers” David Shea, Senior Vice President, Engineering – Kraken Robotics

 

Watch the project video announcement here.

 

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Media contact:

Nancy Andrews

nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca

709-725-7070

 

 

Today Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced three projects from its Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP) stream, including the Inclusive Workforce for Arctic Ocean Technology Project. This is an ecosystem building project designed to develop technical skills training for Inuit participants across Inuit Nunangat. The total project value is $1,787,238, where the Ocean Supercluster will provide $1,150,258 and the balance of funding will come from project partners working together from Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Nunavut to make this a reality.

SmartICE will lead the Ocean Supercluster project in partnership with Pinnguaq Association, Nunavut Fisheries Association, Ilitaqsiniq Literacy Council, and Social Research and Demonstration Corporation.

SmartICE is an internationally recognized work integration social enterprise (WISE) that empowers Indigenous communities to adapt to increasingly unpredictable ice conditions. As a social innovator, SmartICE harnesses the vast potential of Indigenous women and men—especially youth—to embrace science, technology and traditional knowledge as a vehicle for sustainable employment, economic development and wellbeing in their communities.

Based in principles of co-design and in partnership with communities and stakeholders, the holistic, culturally contextualized training curriculum developed, piloted, and evaluated through the Inclusive Workforce for Arctic Ocean Technology Project will address the barriers faced by Inuit in remote northern communities and promote their inclusion and participation in the ocean economy. This project will create 14 direct jobs and dozens of indirect jobs.

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is an industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling the shared challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally-relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. To encourage innovation and trigger new industry investment during these challenging times, the Ocean Supercluster supplemented its core programs with an additional project stream called Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program (AOSP). This enables the development of smaller projects on a shorter timeline that deliver tangible outcomes, while continuing to build resiliency in our ocean sectors.

 

Quotes

 

“Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is undeniably building momentum, adding three new and highly-innovative projects to its Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program. By working together in partnership with Inuit organizations, the benefits this project will provide will be numerous; from creating more opportunities for under-represented communities to better integration of modern technologies and traditional knowledge to monitor ocean climate change. This kind of cross-sector collaboration is what will make the difference in pushing Canada further in ocean technology market and help communities adapt to climate change.” The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry

 

“Building a workforce that draws on diverse knowledge, experiences, and perspectives is critical to realizing our full potential for inclusive, sustainable growth in Canada’s ocean economy. This project will help remove barriers to opportunities in ocean and increase the participation of Inuit living in remote northern communities, helping us grow a well-connected ocean network that is rooted in partnerships and collaboration.” Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

 

“The funding announced today in support of our Inclusive Workforce for Arctic Ocean Technology project will provide important training for Inuit to enter an emerging labour market in Canada. Building on the land skills of Inuit, and creating a training curriculum that is grounded in Inuit ways of knowing and learning, SmartICE and its partners will bridge many of the training barriers facing Inuit in remote northern communities, and promote their inclusion and participation in the ocean economy. We appreciate the support of the Ocean Supercluster in our northern social enterprise and its investment in Inuit women and men—especially youth—to embrace technology and traditional knowledge as a vehicle for sustainable employment and well-being in their communities.” Dr. Trevor Bell

 

“The Pinnguaq Association is delighted to collaborate with Smart Ice in bringing this incredible project to life.   We are looking forward to coordinating our efforts in order to develop and implement a high quality holistic training program and are grateful to Canada’s Ocean Supercluster for supporting this initiative.” Ryan Oliver

 

“The Nunavut Fisheries Association is a proud partner of SmartIce and its important ice safety work in our member communities throughout the Qikiqtani Region.  We look forward to working with SmartIce on its new Inclusive Workforce for Arctic Ocean Technology Project.” Brian Burke, Executive Director, Nunavut Fisheries Association

 

“Ilitaqsiniq is proud to work in partnership to bring unique training and learning opportunities to Nunavut Inuit through this project. The value of this work will save lives, provide employment opportunities and acknowledge the wisdom and scientific knowledge of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.”  Adriana Kusugak

 

“The Social Research and Demonstration Corporation are pleased to play a part in supporting this meaningful work, to co-create new and enduring solutions to complex problems. As evaluators, we will be joining SmartICE and the other partners on this journey and will be capturing the story of the initiative as it unfolds. We will focus on gathering key learnings that can inform and improve not only this project, but others to follow.” Christina Hackett

 

Watch the project video announcement here.

 

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Media contact:

Nancy Andrews

nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca

709-725-7070

Presented by the Offshore Fishery Association and Canada’s Ocean Supercluster on Friday, October 23, 2020 as part of TechNL’s Innovation Week 2020:

Filming Begins in Atlantic Canada Today

The landmark television series exclusive to Amazon Prime called The Future Code will showcase Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and its game-changing projects that are developing innovative solutions to global ocean challenges and changing the way ocean business is done.

“We are excited to share the story of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. Every day we work with companies of all sizes to help them turn their ideas into collaborative, high-impact projects that solve big problems and generate sustainable ocean growth.” said Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. “This is an incredible opportunity to put the international spotlight on Canada’s ocean innovation and profile the work of a number of Ocean Supercluster project teams who are doing amazing things.”

Produced by Re:Source Media Inc., filming began today in Nova Scotia and will continue in Newfoundland and Labrador later this week. The Future Code: Future of Oceans episode will feature Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and its projects that have brought together partners across ocean sectors, who in many cases had never worked together before, to develop and commercialize ocean solutions, triggering new industry investment and economic growth.

“This series focuses on the evolution of industries and how we do business, and the innovators and changemakers around the globe that are leading the way,” said Kevin Fox, President and CEO of Re:Source Media Inc. “With the world’s oceans under significant pressures while at the same time holding so much potential, the future of oceans and the approach Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is taking to solve ocean challenges and drive sustainable ocean growth is a story worth telling.”

The Future Code brings to its viewers stories of new technologies, new ideas, and new ways of looking at problems. In particular, the series focuses on disruptive technologies, as well as new models and leading companies which are revolutionizing industries, changing the workplace and rewriting the future. The Future Code: Future of Oceans episode will air later this fall in the UK, US, and as well as in Canada.

Follow along on Twitter during filming #OnSetwithOSC and #FutureCodeOceans.