Several Newfoundland and Labrador teams competed at the 2025 MATE ROV World Championship in Alpena, MI this past weekend, and captured various major awards.

The competition is organized into five competition classes that range from beginner to advanced – Scout, Navigator, Ranger, Pioneer and Explorer. 

Memorial University’s Eastern Edge Robotics was awarded third place in the most advanced category, Explorer. The team was comprised of 30 students from Memorial University and Marine Institute.

Team CEO Martha Snelgrove received the Martin Klein MATE Mariner Medal. This award is presented to the individual or team that demonstrates a penchant for a lifetime interest in the field of marine science and technology, among other traits.

ROV pilot Kaitlin Healey took home the Oceaneering Co-Pilot Award. This prestigious award recognizes the exceptional skills of a student who piloted their team to success at the MATE World Championship, and who demonstrated outstanding aptitude in adapting to the unique challenges of ROV piloting.

This year’s competition tasks involved measuring and identifying shipwrecks, collecting eDNA data of invasive marine species and maintaining marine renewable energy infrastructure and monitoring its environmental impact.

Western Wave Robotics — the team comprised of students from Memorial’s Grenfell Campus and College of the North Atlantic — competed in the Pioneer class for the first time. They placed fourth and received the Engineering Presentation award. In the Ranger category, Labrador Straits Academy received the Technical Documentation Award and placed within the top 15 teams. Clarenville High School placed within the top 10 and Holy Heart of Mary finished within the top 20.

“It’s incredible to see five provincial teams competing on a global scale” said Joe Singleton, head, School of Ocean Technology and Regional Coordinator for the MATE ROV Newfoundland and Labrador regional competition.

“Eastern Edge has now placed within the top three at the competition 13 times, which is a major accomplishment. This was also a fantastic showing for our Pioneer team Western Wave and our three Ranger teams.”

2026 World Championships

Next year, MI will be hosting the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship.

This will be the third time the Marine Institute has hosted the World Championships; first in 2007 and again in 2015. To date, the Institute has been the only venue to host the World Championships outside of the U.S.

“With a strong showing at this year’s World Championships, we’re excited to see how our teams perform on their home turf next year” says Mr. Singleton.

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For more information, please contact Madeline Meadus, communications, Marine Institute, at madeline.meadus@mi.mun.ca or 709-327-7578.