Every May, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary hosts the annual underwater robotics competition, which draws teams from around the state to “splash” their team-built ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) and complete a series of underwater tasks. Teams treat their ROV like a product, creating a marketing display and presenting a “business pitch” to a panel of judges, along with the water missions.
Spectators are welcome! The event begins at 9 a.m., with the awards ceremony scheduled for 3 p.m. Teams will drive their ROVs in the Marine Technology Training Tank adjacent to the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, and a livestream of the underwater challenges will be shown in the theater.
MATE ROV competitions are designed to challenge students to apply the physics, math, electronics, and engineering skills they are learning in the classroom to solving real-world problems. This year’s theme is MATE Floats Under the Ice, as the world competition in June 2026, will take place in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
The Great Lakes Regional MATE ROV Competition will feature the SCOUT, NAVIGATOR, and RANGER class divisions and will serve as a regional hub for team development in Michigan. The top team in the RANGER division will advance to the world competition.
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary protects a nationally significant collection of nearly 100 historic shipwrecks within 4,300 square miles of Lake Huron off the Michigan coast. Through research, education, and community involvement, the sanctuary works to protect the Great Lakes and their rich history for this and future generations.
WHAT: 2026 Great Lakes Regional MATE ROV Competition
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 9am to 3pm
WHERE: Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena, Michigan
WHO: Open to public, free event