12th International Submarine Races to be Held at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division

Dec. 31, 2012 - PRLog -- The Foundation for Underwater Research and Education (FURE) announces that the 12th International Submarine Races (ISR), a biennial engineering design competition, is scheduled to be held the week of June 22-26, 2013, at NSWC Carderock Division in West Bethesda, Md.

The Foundation supports the ISR during the two-year process to design, build and take part in the human powered submarine competition.  FURE’s objective via the ISR is to raise interest and participation in engineering education and to increase competence and awareness among ocean engineering students.

This will be the 12th in the series of alternate summer races that test the creative skills of young engineering students from colleges, universities and technical and high schools from throughout the world. Teams wearing scuba gear compete in one- and two-person “wet” submarines designed to run submerged along a 100-meter measured course in the Carderock model basin.  The ISR began in Florida in 1989 and has been held here since 1995.

“The Carderock Division is proud to host the 2013 ISR at our David Taylor Model Basin facility,” said Division Commander Capt. Stefanyshyn-Piper.  “We are thrilled to be a part of such an exciting event that puts engineering skills learned in the classroom and in the lab to a practical test.  We know all participants will be hard at work on their new designs, and we all look forward to seeing the innovative approaches they will bring to next year’s competition.”

The purpose of the subraces is to provide an educational opportunity for aspiring young engineers.  Their participation in the design, construction, and operation of a human-powered submarine offers real-time application of theoretical knowledge, hands-on problem-solving and teambuilding skills. Each year, teams strive to either set new speed records or bring innovative approaches to propulsion, guidance or other technical requirements of submarine design.  Race organizers install specialized timing equipment in the Carderock model basin to determine the exact speed of each vehicle.  Underwater video and times are displayed on television screens. Prizes are awarded in a number of categories, including speed, design, best use of composite materials and innovation.

The subrace engineering design competition is an investment in the future of our young people, not only to help them compete in the global technology economy, but to provide a better trained and experienced resource pool of bright and industrious students to help  industry and the government fill future national needs.   The ISR experience increases their value to potential employers.  Studies show that students who can put their classroom skills to practical use fare far better in the post-college job market.          

The 12th ISR principal sponsors include the Electric Boat Corporation, the Oceanic Engineering Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and Henry A. “Hap” Perry, the ISR founder.  Many in-kind sponsors also contribute.  Additionally, ISR is one of many STEM outreach programs supported by NSWC Carderock Division which is part of the Naval Sea Systems Command.

Background information is available at the ISR website, www.isrsubrace.org.  Contestant inquiries should be made to Claude Brancart at c.brancart@ieee.org or (207) 729-7873. Organizations interested in sponsorship, contact Dave McGee at edavemcgee@gmail.com or (703) 399-7619. Contact for volunteers is Sue Peterson at speterson@chesapeake.net.  News media may contact the NSWCCD Public Affairs Office at CRDIVPAO@navy.mil.