Alpena High School’s Underwater Research Robotics (UR2) took first place in the Ranger category to advance to the World Championship to be held June 19 through 21 in Alpena. Alcona High School’s RAFT Robotics placed second in the Ranger category which also qualified them to compete in the World Championship.

Teams were tasked with demonstrating their ROVs’ (remotely operated vehicle) capabilities in the Marine Technology Training Tank as they navigated through a series of challenges under strict time constraints. They presented their projects to a panel of judges, articulating their design process and objectives. They also captured an overview of the entire project on a marketing display, telling the story of their ROV’s conception and purpose.

These teams have been planning, building, and preparing for months. Nineteen teams competed on Saturday, traveling from as far as Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Ohio. Three of the teams were in the Scout category, nine in the Navigator category, and seven in the Ranger (advanced) category.

This year’s mission theme focuses on real-world scenarios happening in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary — the site of the 2025 World Competition this June. Teams used their ROVs to document a historic shipwreck, deploy a buoy equipped with environmental sensors, and collect and analyze water samples. Teams focused on maintaining offshore wind turbines and floating solar panels systems, as well as deploying vertical profiling floats that contribute to global observing efforts.

Courtesy Photo Alcona High School’s RAFT Robotics team placed second in the Ranger category in the 2025 MATE Great Lakes Regional ROV Competition held Saturday at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena. Teams from Alpena and Alcona high schools will advance to the World Competition to be held June 19 through 21 in Alpena.

Winners included: Ranger Overall 1st Place: Underwater Research Robotics (UR2) — Alpena High School; Ranger Overall 2nd Place: RAFT Robotics — Alcona High School; Scout Overall 1st Place: HIRUS — Iosco County 4-H; Scout Overall 2nd Place: Tiger Sharks — Alpena Schools Partnership; Navigator Overall 1st Place: T.A.R.P Tech — Iosco County 4-H; Navigator Overall 2nd Place: Deep Sea — Thunder Bay Junior High; Safety Award: Lincoln Group, LLC — Gahanna Lincoln High School; Tethered Together Award: Deep Sea — Thunder Bay Junior High; Somehow Someway Award: Tardigrades — Alcona Middle School; Innovation Award: N.E.W.T. — Rudyard High School.

MATE Great Lakes Regional ROV Competition is supported by local professionals, including engineers and inventors, and especially by volunteers who act as judges for the competition, evaluating the students’ ROVs, poster displays, and engineering presentations. The competition is one of nearly 40 regionals held around the world.

Courtesy Photo Students work inside the tent on Saturday during the 2025 MATE Great Lakes Regional ROV Competition at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena.

Courtesy Photo Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are seen in the outdoor tank during competition on Saturday 2025 MATE Great Lakes Regional ROV Competition at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena.

Courtesy Photo The viewing tank is seen on Saturday at the 2025 MATE Great Lakes Regional ROV Competition at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena.

Courtesy Photo Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are seen in the outdoor tank during competition on Saturday 2025 MATE Great Lakes Regional ROV Competition at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena.