Nearly 80 robotics teams, representing 22 U.S. states and 18 countries, traveled to Alpena to compete with their underwater robots. Teams began arriving on Tuesday, and the competition began on Thursday. The award ceremony was held on Saturday at tAlpena Community College.

Winners were determined by three judged categories:

1) A timed product demonstration in the marine technology training tank that challenged teams with a list of missions based on work happening at the sanctuary.

2) Engineering presentations where teams explained their product to a panel of judges at ACC.

Courtesy Photo The Alpena UR2 team earned the Team Spirit award at the MATE ROV World Competition that concluded Saturday in Alpena.

3) A marketing display featuring their ROV and team experience that was showcased at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.

Points were accumulated to determine overall winners in three categories based on ability, along with a handful of specialty awards generated by judge nominations.

There were three local teams in attendance and all received awards.

The Safety Award was presented to Raft Robotics from Alcona High School, which was mentored by Elizabeth Thomson. And the Team Spirit Award was given to the UR2 squad from the Alpena High School. The Alpena team is mentored by Bob Thomson.

The Best Engineering Presentation Ranger Class award was also presented to the UR2 team from Alpena High School.

Courtesy Photo The Alcona Raft Robotics Team earned the Safety Award at the MATE ROV World Competition that concluded Saturday in Alpena.

The MVP Engineering Award was given to Kylie Gagnon of the local UR2 team for learning how to weld in her role as team Fabricator.

The Aquajacks from Alpena Community College placed third overall in the Pioneer Class. The ACC team is mentored by David Cummins.

Daniel Moffatt, TBNMS stewardship and education specialist and a regional coordinator for MATE, said the facilities in Alpena are unmatched and the results of the local competitors shows it.

“The sanctuary is an amazing resource within our community and continues to attract world-class opportunities for students,” Moffatt said in a press release on Sunday. “The fact that our regional teams performed exceptionally well and were able to showcase their home to the world of underwater robotics is an extremely powerful experience.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.

Courtesy Photo Local ROV teams, Alpena UR2, Alcona Raft Robotics, and the ACC Aquajacks gather by the ACC Lumberjack statue after the awards ceremony on Saturday night at ACC.

Courtesy Photo The Aquajacks from Alpena Community College placed third overall in the Pioneer Class at the MATE ROV World Competition that concluded Saturday in Alpena. The ACC team is mentored by David Cummins.

Courtesy Photo A crowd packed in at ACC on Saturday night for the MATE ROV World Competition awards.

Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo A crowd packed in at ACC on Saturday night for the MATE ROV World Competition awards.