Center for Ocean Enterprise
Marine Research Center
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Built for Exploration and Innovation
Imagine having everything you need to test and refine uncrewed maritime systems in the Gulf of Mexico. Ocean explorers and engineers designed the Marine Research Center to support professionals that need to get their technology into the marine environment.
The 18,000-square-foot Marine Research Center (MRC) at the Port of Gulfport provides a landing spot for maritime-related industries and federal partners to collaborate, test, and refine their technology. Partners have access to our brand-new fabrication shop, research vessels, and marine testing sites to support the acceleration and advancement of blue technology innovation. Our easy-to-access waterfront simplifies getting your equipment to the Gulf of Mexico, coastal zones, and riverine environments.
The R/V Ken Barbor is the first optionally crewed, fully autonomous vessel in the USM fleet.
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The MRC is the hub for advancing uncrewed maritime systems and ocean data science. University scientists offer access to research on a wide range of maritime sensing, surveillance, and security technologies.
The facility supports USM’s 135-foot oceanographic research vessel, the R/V Point Sur, the 48-foot R/V Ken Barbor and the National Science Foundation’s 199-foot vessel, the R/V Gilbert R. Mason (launching 2023).
To make reservations, start a fabrication project, or build a test and validation plan, contact us by e-mail at oceanenterpriseFREEMississippi