Search

PacMar Technologies Wins DARPA Phase 2 Award for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Article by Communications Staff Honolulu, HI – 22 FEB 2022 – The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded PacMar Technologies (PMT) a $54.8 million contract for Phase 2 of the Manta Ray program. The program funds research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies allowing payload-capable autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) to operate on long-duration, long-range missions in ocean environments. The program funds work at various PMT locations including Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. Picture above: Artist’s concept of Manta Ray UUV. Image credit: DARPA Public Affairs. During this phase of the Manta Ray program, PMT will assemble and demonstrate a vehicle that incorporates novel energy management techniques for UUV operations; low-power, high efficiency undersea propulsion systems; mission management approaches for extended durations while accounting for dynamic maritime environments; and new approaches to mitigate biofouling, corrosion, and other material degradation for long duration missions. “PacMar Technologies’ conceptual and design efforts in Phase 1 of DARPA’s Manta Ray program will now advance into Phase 2, which concludes with full-scale at-sea demonstrations,” said CDR Kyle Woerner, the DARPA Program Manager for Manta Ray. “Building and testing this full-scale, integrated Manta Ray system will convincingly demonstrate that DARPA has ‘redefined possible’ for undersea vehicles.” “We are excited to continue our work on Manta Ray into Phase 2. This is an incredible opportunity for a small business with great partners to disrupt the large UUV space. This is also a great win for continuing high technology maritime focused research and development in Hawaii,” Dan Brunk , Chief Executive Officer, PMT. “DARPA programs are known to be difficult because they are looking for transformational change and not just incremental improvement. This program pushes the limits of underwater vehicle technology and autonomy in several new directions. We are extremely lucky to have assembled through the years an excellent team of engineers and scientists, both internally and with our partners on this program, enabling us to compete against companies 100 times our size. As a Honolulu based company, we have a unique perspective that leads to advantages for conducting this type of research” said Brian Kays , Vice President of Platform Design, PMT. Key subcontractors to PMT on this program include the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington (APL-UW) which has expertise in unmanned underwater vehicle autonomy and controls; North Carolina State University (NCSU) which has expertise in underwater energy harvesting; Systems & Technology Research (STR) which has expertise in undersea systems operations, sensors, communications, and signal processing, and Areté which has expertise in physical oceanography and marine sensor applications. “We are excited to contribute to this program, with technical contributions from our Arlington, Woburn, and San Diego offices. The PMT relationship during the Phase 1 effort has been exceedingly collaborative and effective in solving design issues enabling the project to move into the Phase 2 vehicle development effort,” E. Scott Stickels, Chief Scientist for Undersea Systems, STR. About PacMar Technologies PacMar Technologies (PMT) is the leading provider of innovative research and product development. Our team of engineers have deep technical knowledge allowing them to solve complex problem sets. Since its founding in Hawaii in 1979, PMT has a long history of naval architecture design and analysis, and has grown to open offices in Rhode Island, Maine, Virginia, Michigan, South Carolina, and Kansas. » ba ck

Kurt Hamel Director, Mechanical Engineering – East Kurt Hamel is a Director of Mechanical Engineering for the Eastern Region at PacMar Technologies. He is responsible for leading a team of mechanical engineers and fabricators at the company and also contributes to PacMar Technologies as an engineer and a principal investigator on undersea projects. Kurt has 19 years of experience in the DoD industry developing and demonstrating advanced under sea technology. Prior to joining PacMar Technologies, Kurt worked for 17 years at General Dynamics Electric Boat as a mechanical engineer, structural analysist, and later a project manager in Electric Boat’s ‘small programs’ division. These diverse roles centered around developing ocean interface and payload handling technology for U.S. nuclear submarines. Kurt is originally from Pennsylvania, where he earned his mechanical engineering bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Villanova University. » back Technical Experts

CAREERS PacMar Technologies is a diversified commercial and US Department of Defense research company, rooted in the creativity and talents of its people. People dedicated to delivering innovation and best-value research, engineering, and solutions based on applications of science and technology. We are committed to listening to our customers’ challenges and delivering solutions that exceed their expectations for creativity, innovation, and overall excellence. Our core strengths are complex computational physics and engineering tools, digital-twins, autonomous systems, advanced inflatable and drop stitch, undersea systems, alternative energy, marine hydrokinetics, risk reduction, cyber-physical security, advanced simulations and design of prototype marine systems and other scientific fields and capabilities. View Current Openings Please note, any communications with PacMarTech employees will originate from @pacmartech.com email addresses.

PacMar Technologies' University Partnerships Article by Communications Staff We are working together for mutual success in innovative technology! PacMar Technologies frequently partners with state and local universities to collaborate with top academic professors and broaden engineering programs. The partnership naturally extends into our community internship programs. These programs also enable PacMar Technologies to bring federal contracts and joint proposals with top customers to the university. These opportunities provide meaningful, real-life experience as engineering students prepare to enter the workforce or bolster existing knowledge. Our internship programs are designed to develop quality engineers who are equipped to compete for exciting, professional well-paying jobs in their home state or nationally. At PacMar Technologies, we view university partnerships as an investment in our future as experienced professionals and classroom theories combine. As a rapidly expanding company, PacMar Technologies is able to employ exceptional, forward-thinking graduates who share our quest to push the envelope of possible. » back

PacMar Technologies and MACSEA Ltd Announce Partnership to Develop Advanced Infrared Monitoring Technologies Article by Communications Staff Honolulu, HI - July 1, 2024 – PacMar Technologies, a leading innovator in marine and energy solutions, and MACSEA Ltd, an industry pioneer in advanced monitoring systems, are excited to announce a strategic partnership to develop cutting-edge infrared monitoring technologies. This collaboration aims to enhance shipboard safety, especially with the use of Lithium-Ion batteries. The jointly developed “IMSAFE” system utilizes state-of-the-art infrared cameras paired with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to monitor spaces in real-time. IMSAFE uses real-time and historic data to determine the future performance of equipment and batteries within the monitored spaces. The system’s core functionality focuses on detecting and analyzing thermal anomalies that indicate potential hazards, such as overheating or fire. By providing early warnings, IMSAFE enhances safety measures, reduces the risk of catastrophic failures, and ensures reliability of shipboard systems, particularly lithium-ion batteries. IMSAFE represents a breakthrough in thermal anomaly detection, offering a sophisticated solution to the critical challenge of lithium-ion battery safety. PacMar Technologies and MACSEA Ltd are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in thermal anomaly detection. The partnership aims to: Develop and refine IMSAFE to deliver unparalleled accuracy and reliability in thermal anomaly detection. Leverage the expertise of both companies to accelerate the development and deployment of IMSAFE in various industries, including the marine, energy, and transportation sectors. Enhance safety protocols and risk management strategies for lithium-ion batteries and vessel electrical systems to safeguard lives, maritime assets, and the environment. “We are thrilled to partner with MACSEA Ltd to bring IMSAFE to market,” said Eric Hultgren, Director of Power and Energy at PacMar Technologies. “This collaboration represents a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and reliability of lithium-ion batteries and other shipboard systems. Our combined expertise will undoubtedly lead to groundbreaking advancements in AI monitoring technologies.” “MACSEA Ltd is proud to join forces with PacMar Technologies,” added Kevin Logan, President of MACSEA Ltd. “We look forward to developing this technology further and making a substantial impact on shipboard safety and enabling the use of lithium-ion batteries by the maritime community.” About Pacific Marine & Supply Company : 841 Bishop St., Suite 1110 Honolulu, HI 96813 pacmarhawaii.com PacMar Technologies is a Honolulu-based company specializing in innovative solutions for the marine and energy sectors. With a strong focus on research and development, PacMar Technologies is dedicated to advancing technology to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. About MACSEA Ltd : macsea.com MACSEA Ltd is a leading provider of advanced monitoring systems with a rich history of delivering cutting-edge technology solutions. Based in Stonington, CT, MACSEA Ltd is renowned for its commitment to excellence and innovation in monitoring and detection systems. » back

PacMar Technologies One of 10 Winners of U.S. Army xTechPacific Competition Article by Communications Staff Honolulu, Hawaii — October 3, 2023 — PacMar Technologies is pleased to announce that we are one of 10 winners of the U.S. Army xTechPacific Competition, an open-topic prize competition focused on supporting the U.S. military’s long-distance capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region. Sponsored by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, and in collaboration with the U.S. Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, the competition sought innovative small business solutions prioritizing climate and sustainment, communications, the Internet of Things, sensing and intelligence, and supply-chain logistics to improve soldier effectiveness o verseas. “Each of these winners proved their ability to address this challenge and will help diversify the Army’s approach to research and development,” said Dr. Matt Willis, director of the Army Prize Competitions and the Army Applied SBIR Program. Using PacMar Technologies’ deep knowle dge of marine vehicles and expertise in autonomy, our engineers conceived an autonomous transport sled to ensure rapid resupply of material and aid. This transport sled addresses a daunting problem for the Army known as the “Tyranny of Distance,” which has vexed military strategists since the dawn of conflict where the U.S. is often fighting wars in areas thousands of miles from U.S. shores. This distance lessens military strength and increases the cost of conflicts. Our autonomous transport sled tackles this challenge head-on, also addressing the Army’s capability gap and technology viability. “We are thrilled to be selected a winner and proud of our employees’ dedication in this competition to assist the U.S. Army, said Dan Brunk, CEO of PacMar Technologies. “We look forward to submitting our Direct to Phase II proposal and continuing to build a strong relationship with the Army. Helping our Department of Defense partners drives our passion to research and develop cutting-edge technologies to help them solve complex problems.” During the competition’s rounds, businesses received up to $25,000 in cash prizes following several capability pitches to a panel of Army technologists, scientists, engineers and acquisition experts. Winners of xTechPacific can now apply for a Phase I Army SBIR contract worth up to $250,000 or a Direct to Phase II contract valued at up to $1.9million. » back

Zensho Heshiki Director, Mechanical Engineering – West Zensho Heshiki is the Director of Mechanical Engineering for the Western Region at PacMar Technologies. He oversees a team of talented engineers working together to solve complex mechanical problems unique to the ocean environment. Prior to working at PMT, Zensho worked at the University of Hawaii Engineering Support Facility, designing mechanical systems for various deep ocean research programs. Programs ranged from an underwater ocean observatory to deep sea fish traps. After that, he worked as a naval architect in Sydney, Australia. Here, his duties included hydrostatic stability analyses, conducting ship-inclining experiments, and structural FEA of the Royal Australian Navy’s DDGs. He has been an integral part of PMT since 2013, contributing significantly to US Navy, ONR, and DARPA projects. Zensho was born and raised in Hawaii. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hawaii and a bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture at the University of New South Wales. » back Technical Experts

David Porter Director, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering – East David Porter is the Director of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering for the Eastern Region at PacMar Technologies. As a Senior Naval Architect and Director, Dave is responsible for keeping the canvas up and the barnacles down across the platforms and prototypes division. From Concept to At-Sea Trials Dave applies a balance of pragmatism and creativity; respectful of the hard lessons learned and exhilarated to evolve maritime vessels on and below the bounding main. Dave has 13 years of experience in the maritime industry supporting the U.S. Navy. Dave logged more than a decade at Bath Iron Works and worked in Engineering and Operations; shipbuilding is a great teacher- with synchronized teamwork, unyielding efforts, and the right leadership, all things are possible. Dave is from New England but snuck down to the Bronx long enough to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture from SUNY Maritime and came back as quickly as he could. Maine is home now, where Dave enjoys spending time in the mountains and on the ocean with his family. » back Technical Experts

Pacific Marine & Supply Company Celebrates its 80th Anniversary with $80,000 Donation to Palama Settlement for Preschools Article by Communications Staff Honolulu, HI - February 20, 2024 – In commemoration of its 80th Anniversary, Pacific Marine & Supply Company announced today a donation of $80,000 to Palama Settlement to build preschool classrooms. The new classrooms align with the state’s universal access to preschool initiative, Ready Keiki, which is being led by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke. Pacific Marine has also committed to work with Palama Settlement on additional funding needs to ensure that these classrooms come to fruition. Since its founding by Fred and Alyce Loui in 1944, the Honolulu company has been a cornerstone of innovation and project excellence across diverse industries and has remained a family-owned and managed enterprise. Throughout its history, Pacific Marine has been committed to giving back to the local community and inspiring the next generations of innovation, entrepreneurship, and building a strong local workforce. Each year, Pacific Marine has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to numerous local non-profit organizations, with a strong focus on education and children. "Our company was built over the last eight decades on the foundation of dedicated service and a philosophy of building and supporting the local community,” said Steven Loui, Chairman & President of Pacific Marine & Supply Company. "It all begins with our keiki and we are so happy to be able to partner with Palama Settlement to build preschools right in the heart of Kalihi. When I learned about the Lieutenant Governor’s preschool program, I knew right away that we wanted to help give Hawaii’s children the right start and get them ready for success in school. Hopefully, to become Hawaii’s future engineers, inventors, leaders and even boat builders.” Currently, there are over 8,000 unserved preschool-aged children in Hawaii. The Ready Keiki initiative focuses on expanding preschool seats —both public and private—while increasing childcare subsidies and supporting the early childhood workforce. “These collaborative partnerships bring us closer to reaching our goal of universal access to preschool for Hawaii’s keiki,” said Lt. Gov. Luke. “The support from partners like Pacific Marine and Palama Settlement speaks to the multi-faceted approach of Ready Keiki, embracing community collaboration to serve more of our youngest learners.” Since the pandemic, Palama Settlement has seen an increase in participating families and community volunteer groups that help to produce community events, engage in programming, and assist in community service projects. “As Palama continues to grow, we want to make sure that our programs and services are relevant, inclusive and accessible to our families,” said Executive Director Sam Aiona. “Thanks to Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and donors like Steven Loui, our “Pālama Mamas” can rest assure that their toddlers will be ready for Elementary School through the new Family Learning Center, here, at Palama Settlement.” “Companies are about its people and we have been blessed,” continued Steven Loui. “As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on our journey with immense pride, knowing that our family of companies continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of our highly qualified managers and talented employees and the support of our customers, vendors and the Hawaii Community. So many people have supported us and we want to make sure the next generation is ready to continue to move Hawaii forward.” About Pacific Marine & Supply Company : 841 Bishop St., Suite 1110 Honolulu, HI 96813 Pacmarhawaii.com Pacific Marine & Supply Company, headquartered in Honolulu, has been a leading force in Hawaii's economy since 1944. Specializing in defense, maritime transportation, construction, tourism, and technology R&D, the company fosters innovation and excellence across its family of subsidiaries including PacMar Technologies, Pacific Shipyards International, HSI Mechanical, SEABLADE, FLS Composites, Hull Scientific Research, and CAP Insurance Co. Inc. For more information about Pacific Marine & Supply Company and its subsidiaries, visit pacmarhawaii.com or contact us at info@pacmarhawaii.com or 808-848-6333. About Palama Settlement : 810 N. Vineyard Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96817 Palamasettlement.org Established in 1896, Palama Settlement is a nonprofit, community-based social service agency serving the Kalihi and Pālama neighborhoods. Palama offers a wide range of educational, recreational, cultural, social, health and community-building programs and services for children, youth, adults and senior citizens. Palama Settlement’s mission is to partner with those who have the greatest need in the community, empowering them to enhance their well-being through health, education, and recreation. For more information about Palama Settlement, visit palamasettlement.org or contact us at info@palamasettlement.org . » back

CORE VALUES Accountability: We always come through. We are committed to holding ourselves, and our partners, accountable-always. We collaborate. Because we know the best work comes from partnership. Our customer is at the table with us at every step-making critical decisions, settling differences, building alignment, and moving the strategy forward. Innovation: The most original and unexpected solution. We drive i nnovation-in both technology and our approach to business-helping to lead our industry toward unimaginable change. We attract, empower, and retain industry-leading and innovative problem solvers who share an entrepreneurial spirit. We take on the problems no one else in the industry can or will. Where some see obstacles or deterrents, we see opportunity and possibility, and we know that we have the talent and ingenuity to tackle any challenge. Forward-leaning: We can’t wait for tomorrow. We are future-focused-out in front, a step or two ahead, and hard wired to anticipate problems and solutions others aren’t yet thinking of. We embrace the urgency in the work we do, and we operate as if the future depends on it. As a company that delivers research and development quickly and can adapt on a dime-a company that gets things done at the same pace technology changes-we can keep the US competitive with advancing world powers. Living Our Values At PacMar Technologies (PMT), we live our core values every day. From delivering outstanding results for our customers, to collaboration within our employee teams, we take pride in demonstrating our values of “Accountability”, “Innovation”, and “Forward-leaning” through our words and actions. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics provides guidance on carrying out daily activities in accordance with PMT’s values, as well as in compliance with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and ethical principles. Our commitment to ethics, compliance, and corporate integrity is steadfast and reliable. We believe it provides the base for trust in relationships with our customers, suppliers, and all the company’s stakeholders. We maintain and support policies and procedures, controls, investigation and remediation, training, and due diligence.

At PacMar Technologies, we believe there are no limits to what we can do. We go after the toughest problems and tackle them with the innovation and ingenuity that has defined us for decades. We are a catalyst for change in our industry because when we believe any idea is achievable, we have the power to transform the technology solutions for tomorrow. PacMar Technologies and MACSEA Ltd Announce Partnership » read more Pacific Marine Continues 80th Anniversary Celebrations with Hawaii on the Hill » read more Applied CAX Features Pacmar Technologies as a Customer Case Study and Success Story » read more Pacific Marine & Supply Company Celebrates Its 80th Anniversary With $80,000 Donation to Palama Settlement for Preschools » read more In-Water Tests for DARPA Manta Ray Scaled Prototype » read more Pacmar Technologies One of 10 Winners of U.S. Army X-Tech Pacific Competition » read more » Read More News Archives

PacMar Technologies Wins Ocean Observing Prize Honolulu, HI — MAY 2020 — PacMar Technologies team, consisting of Bradley Beeksma, Patrick Montolio, Aaron Yee and Adam Crimmins, have won the Explorer Prize in the Ocean Observing Prize’s DISCOVER competition . This competition is administered by the DOE (Department of Energy) and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and is designed to spur technological innovation and contribute to the growth of the blue economy. Team PacMar Technologies’ winning submission, integrates a rapidly installed breakwater (RIB) structure into an attenuating wave energy converter (WEC) that would generate power for UUV (unmanned underwater vehicles) charging while simultaneously creating a sheltered area for improved surface docking. This system will increase UUV mission durations using an autonomous recharging device for short-term deployment at locations of interest. The Ocean Observing Prize challenges innovators around the globe to integrate marine renewable energy with ocean observation platforms, ultimately revolutionizing our ability to collect the data needed to understand, map and monitor the ocean. “Our team was thrilled to hear we had been selected as winners in this competitive competition. This is a promising demonstration that our company is well-suited to address challenges in the field of marine renewable energy,” said Bradley Beeksma, Ocean Engineer. “PacMar Technologies is a world leader in the design of large inflatable drop-stitch structures, and the DISCOVER competition was a chance for our engineers to leverage that knowledge to advance the use of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) for ocean exploration and sensing,” said Troy Keipper, Chief Operating Officer. PacMar Technologies is known for its innovation, in both technology and in business – and always strives for opportunities to use research, ideas and engineering to change the world. Learn more about the Ocean Observing Prize here . About PacMar Technologies PacMar Technologies is a leading provider of innovative research and development services for the Department of Defense, NASA, and other government agencies. Historically a provider of naval architecture and modeling and simulation services, its portfolio has diversified to encompass digital twins, power and energy systems, unmanned vehicles, robotics, autonomy, AI/ML, data science, inflatables, composites, and additive manufacturing. Since its founding in Hawaii in 1979, PacMar Technologies has grown to open offices in Rhode Island, Maine, Virginia, Michigan, South Carolina, and Oklahoma. Article by Communication Staff » back