37th IRSO Meeting – 40th Anniversary Celebration
Cardiff, Wales 14–18 September 2026
The 37th meeting will be hosted by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) in the city of Cardiff, Wales, from Monday 14th – Friday 18th September 2026.
We will celebrate the 40th year of IRSO at TechniQuest – an interactive science centre overlooking Cardiff Bay and the working docks.
Meeting Venue
Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW
TechniQuest is an interactive Science centre, focussed on educating the next generation – a perfect fit as we celebrate facilitating Ocean Science around the globe.
Meeting Programme
Workshop: Monday 14th September, afternoon
“Optimizing synergies and monitoring impact/performance of Research Vessels across all networks of the Global Ocean Observing System” and will be led by Martin Kramp, OceanOPS Technical Coordinator, World Meteorological Organization. It will be held on Monday 14 September from 13:00 to 17:00.
Conference: Tuesday 15th September – Thursday 17th September
Three full days of meetings including speakers, workshops, oral and poster presentations
Final conference programme to follow
Ice Breaker Reception: Monday 14th September 7pm at The Botanist
Join us in the heart of Cardiff Bay at the beautiful Botanist.
Unit 4-6 Mermaid Quay, Cardiff CF10 5BZ
Gala Dinner: Wednesday 16th September 7pm at The Coal Exchange
Gather at the historic Grade II* listed Coal Exchange, a historic building that was once at the epicentre of the world’s coal trade, for a 3-course event dinner
Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5FQ
Presentations
We welcome oral presentations (typically 15 mins plus 5 mins questions) and poster presentations for the following themes. Please state how you’d like to present and in which theme at registration.
Theme 1 – Research Vessel Builds, Modifications and Performance: New vessels | Modifications and upgrades |Greening of ships |Underwater Radiated Noise | Bubble sweep down
Theme 2 – Manning, Safety and Training: STCW | MLC | Alcohol and drug policies | Medical standards and provision | Safety and security issues
Theme 3 – Scientific Technology: AUVs and ROVs | USVs and Remotely Operated Surface Vehicles | Cables and winches | Scientific instruments | Hydroacoustic equipment | Drones | Data management and handling
Theme 4 – Legal and Insurance: Insurance | Admiralty Law in research vessel operations | IMO Regulations | Diplomatic Clearances and permiting | Polar Code and high latitudes | RV Code of Practice | Vessel Charter
Theme 5 – Cooperation and Outreach: RVOC | OFEG |ERVO | POGO | EuroFleets AISBL | Other
Registration information
Price includes, lunch on Monday, followed by the afternoon workshop and an Icebreaker event in the evening; full day conference Tuesday – Thursday, inclusive of refreshments and lunch; and three course gala dinner on Wednesday evening. You can opt in for adding a guest to the dinner and the team building events on the Friday.
- Early Bird registration rates apply until Sunday 7th June 2026
- IRSO Early Bird Registration £375 (use this coupon code at checkout: IRSO Early Bird)
- IRSO Full Price Registration £430
- Optional Team Building Activity £50
- Partner Add-on (includes icebreaker and dinner attendance, team building activity) £120