The SMAST acoustic-optic test tank today welcomed the New Bedford Police Underwater Recovery Unit for the first of an anticipated series of training sessions.

“It is critical to train members of this unit in many different situations and environments,” said Sergeant Jason Gomes, CO of the Port Security Unit and a supervisor on the Underwater Recovery Unit. “The opportunity to utilize the tank at the UMassD School for Marine Science and Technology will allow us to exercise many of the basic skills public safety divers must master. I cannot think of a better location to hold indoor training for both divers and ROV operators.”

The Underwater Recovery Unit was created in 1986 and staffed with three on-call divers with the mission of providing the department with the ability to respond to underwater issues, including evidence preservation and recovery, the recovery of persons, vessel hull searches, pier searches and ice diving. The unit currently consists of thirteen divers and three shore personnel.

The SMAST acoustic-optic test tank is a resource for local academic, government and industrial researchers and product developers. The 18’-deep, 90,000-gallon tank is designed for development and testing of underwater measurement concepts and devices. It has also proven an efficient venue for training fishermen in at-sea safety procedures over the past decade.

[Reposted from March 24, 2015.]