About the SUT

The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) is a multidisciplinary learned society that brings together organisations and individuals with a common interest in underwater technology, ocean science and offshore engineering.

SUT was founded in 1966 and has members from more than 40 countries, including engineers, scientists, other professionals and students working in these areas. In recent decades many of our members have come from the offshore hydrocarbon sector, today we also see growing numbers of members from offshore renewables, marine autonomous systems, and the policy, law and insurance sectors who support offshore activities of many kinds.

The Underwater Association which also commenced operations in 1966 had a long-standing relationship with SUT, and merged with us in 1992, having played a key role in establishing safer diving practices in consultation with the UK Health & Safety Executive. Their legacy can be particularly seen in the work of our Diving & Manned Submersibles Committee.

Please click here for the Articles of Association of the Society for Underwater Technology, amended December 2021.

A link to SUT’s Ethical Policy can be found here – please note this applies to all Members, Fellows, Branches and Special Interest Groups.

The Society for Underwater Technology is a Charity Registered in the UK: Reg Charity No. 256659 (England and Wales) and SC043942 (Scotland).


Annual Report

Click to see the Annual Report of the Society for Underwater Technology (2022-2023)

Click to see the Accounts of the Society for Underwater Technology (2022-2023)

The current list of Council Members and Committee Chairs can be found here.

THE AIMS OF THE SOCIETY

The SUT was founded to promote the further understanding of the underwater environment and to encourage:

  • cross–fertilisation and dissemination of ideas, experience and information between workers in academic research, applied research and technology, industry and government
  • development of techniques and tools to explore, study and exploit the oceans
  • proper economic and sociological usage of resources in and beneath the oceans
  • further education of scientists and technologists to maintain high standards in marine science and technology.

THE INTERESTS OF THE SUT

The SUT considers all aspects of technology applied to:

  • diving and manned submersibles
  • environmental forces
  • marine environmental science
  • marine renewable energies
  • ocean policy and law
  • ocean resources
  • offshore site investigation and geotechnics
  • salvage and decommissioning
  • subsea engineering and operations
  • underwater robotics
  • underwater science
  • underwater security
  • UXO (unexploded ordnance)

For more information on the SUT’s interest areas, please visit the Special Interest Groups section of this website.

OUR PEOPLE

For current officers of Council, committee Chairs, past Presidents, and past Chairs of Council please click here.

UK

Cheryl Burgess
Chief Executive
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Cheryl joined SUT in January 2021, bringing over three decades’ experience in the energy industry including oil & gas (both offshore and onshore); renewables; and utilities. She is the former Director General of the Pipeline Industries Guild, and her extensive international expertise from her years with UK Trade & Investment and the Society of British Gas Industries will bring benefit to the SUT’s international Branches and interests. A strong advocate for organisations she has represented, she is also committed to engaging students, graduates, and young professionals in the industries the SUT represents.

Jane Hinton
Membership & Finance Officer
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Jane’s role as Membership & Finance Officer covers all matters relating to membership including the upkeep of the main SUT database, collecting subscriptions, welcoming new members, and sending out notices on SUT news and forthcoming events. Jane is also responsible for the day-to-day financial matters of the Society including bookkeeping and credit control.

Emily Boddy
Communications & Publications Officer
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Emily’s main roles as communications & publications officer are the production of all SUT yearly publications (digital and print) and the maintenance & development of the SUT’s website. Emily produces all additional publications and conference proceedings required by the Society, as well as all marketing and membership material. Emily is responsible for communicating with the membership for SUT updates and news as well as managing the SUT’s social media. Emily is also the editor and producer of SUT’s Underwater Technology Podcast.

 

Perth, Australia

Fiona Allan
Perth Branch/Finance/Membership Administrator
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Fiona is the Administrator for the Perth Branch and is responsible for everyday financial matters as well as Student / Individual and Corporate Memberships. Fiona is also involved with SUT Committee Meetings and the Scholarships process.

Renae Drew
Events & Marketing Coordinator
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Renae joined the SUT team in February 2021 and has over 15 years’ experience working in the event management field, predominately in the hotel industry. Renae’s role focuses the administration, coordination, and marketing of Perth events as well as updating the website. Renae is currently on maternity leave

 

Jade Melville
Marketing and Events Coordinator
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Jade joined the SUT Team in December 2021, with over six years of events and marketing experience within corporate organisations. Her role focuses on the administration, coordination, and marketing of Perth events as well as updating the website.

 

Suzanne Thien
Events & Marketing Assistant
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Suzanne comes from a technical background with more than 3 years of experience in the digital marketing field. Suzanne’s role is focused on managing SUT Perth Branch’s social media platforms, maintaining website updates, compiling email marketing campaigns as well as assisting the Marketing Coordinator in events management.

 

Ellaria Ibraheem
Marketing & Events Assistant
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Ellaria joined the SUT Team in January 2024, armed with a Bachelors degree in Event Management. Stepping into the position of Events & Marketing Assistant, Ellaria’s role consists of the administration, coordination, and marketing of Perth events.

 

SUT-US

Patsy Rhymes
Event Manager
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Patsy manages the events in Houston for the US Branch, as well as working closely with other team members across various business units in product marketing, social media, PR, campaign management and corporate marketing.