Last month, Sea-Bird Scientific hosted Sea-Bird University 2026, bringing ocean science professionals from around the world to Bellevue, Washington, near their world headquarters, for four days of technical training, hands-on learning, and knowledge sharing. Hosted at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, the program provided attendees with opportunities to deepen their understanding of oceanographic instrumentation, strengthen technical skills, and connect with peers and experts from across the industry.
Group photo of all the participants in front of the Mercer Slough Environmental Educational Center.
Designed for scientists, engineers, technicians, and technical sales professionals working with oceanographic instrumentation, Sea-Bird University featured technical presentations, equipment demonstrations, and interactive discussions covering profiling systems, moored sensors, dissolved oxygen, pH, optics, sensor calibration, deployment best practices, and advanced CTD data processing.
A highlight of the week was the hands-on demo stations, where attendees worked directly with Sea-Bird Scientific instruments and software alongside Sea-Bird Scientific experts. Participants completed guided exercises including SBE 37 MicroCAT battery pack and anti-foulant installation, HydroCAT-EP V2 Multiparameter CTD sensor integration, SBE 16plus V2 SeaCAT CTD moored deployments, SUNA V2 reference updates and data processing, and ECO V2 Optical Sensor setup. The stations also provided experience with various software, helping attendees build practical skills in instrument configuration, maintenance, deployment preparation, and data management.
"The most valuable part of the training was the hands-on equipment sessions. Working directly with the instruments and having the opportunity to ask questions to the SBS team helped me better understand their operation, applications, and maintenance."
- Carlos Andrés Henry López
Oceanographic Advisor, Casco Antiguo Colombia S.A.S.
Carlos (left) and Sea-Bird University attendees taking part in the Inductive Modem activity, exploring how a simulated surface buoy modem communicates with inductive modem instruments.
Carlos's experience reflected a common theme throughout the week: attendees valued the opportunity to move beyond theory and gain practical experience with the instruments, software, and workflows they use in the field.
A key objective of Sea-Bird University 2026 is ensuring participants leave with knowledge they can immediately apply in their work. Throughout the week, attendees explored the capabilities of Sea-Bird Scientific sensors and software while gaining practical experience configuring instruments, understanding deployment considerations, and evaluating solutions for a variety of oceanographic applications.
"The training strengthened my ability to guide customers through sensor selection and gave me more confidence using Sea-Bird’s Fathom, UCI, and SeaSoft software. I feel better prepared to evaluate each use case, configure the appropriate sensors, and support customers through data collection and processing."
- Matthew Lavis
Systems Engineer at EOM Offshore
Matt, pictured here, working through the SUNA V2 activity, running a pure water reference update (field signal offset) calibration.
Many participants emphasized the value of combining expert-led instruction with hands-on experience. Reflecting on the training, Carlos Andrés Henry López, Oceanographic Advisor at Casco Antiguo Colombia S.A.S., shared,
"I would definitely recommend this training to others because it combines theory with practical experience and provides valuable insights that can be immediately applied in the field."
Matthew Lavis, Systems Engineer at EOM Offshore, echoed that sentiment,
"I would recommend Sea-Bird University to anyone working in the oceanographic or marine industries. I found a lot of value in learning about the full range of sensors and capabilities offered by Sea-Bird. The course provides real, hands-on experience that translates directly to fieldwork."
By bringing together professionals from across the ocean science community, Sea-Bird University reinforced the importance of knowledge sharing, technical excellence, and collaboration in advancing ocean observation and research. Sea-Bird Scientific extends its thanks to all attendees and employees who contributed to the success of the program.
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