UMass Dartmouth receives grants to boost marine tech

FALL RIVER – The city is one of four clusters of marine technology in the country, and new grants might give it an edge in the industry.

Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Aug. 16 that the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and its Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship won two competitive grants from the Seaport Economic Council.

UMass Dartmouth will get $612,250 to buy two underwater drones for a project with Northeastern University and private companies to improve the ability of unmanned underwater vehicles to operate independently.

The CIE will receive $250,000 to attract, support and retain marine technology startups in southeastern Massachusetts.

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Fall River has become a nationally recognized hub for unmanned underwater craft. There are six companies designing and building drone submarines in Fall River. All of them started at the CIE. Two are in facilities nearby, and four remain in the CIE, according to The Herald News.

Other marine technology clusters are in San Diego, Virginia Beach, Va., and in Florida, centered in Tampa and Miami. •

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