Ocean Server Technology graduates from UMass Dartmouth Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, opens location in Fall River

MASS. LT. GOV. KARYN POLITO, third from right, joined UMass Dartmouth officials and elected officials last week in celebrating the graduation of Ocean Server Technology from the university’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. / COURTESY UMASS DARTMOUTH
MASS. LT. GOV. KARYN POLITO, third from right, joined UMass Dartmouth officials and elected officials last week in celebrating the graduation of Ocean Server Technology from the university’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. / COURTESY UMASS DARTMOUTH

FALL RIVER – Thirteen years after launching at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Ocean Server Technology is moving to its own location.

Ocean Server Technology, which specializes in high-quality underwater robotics that advance environmental sensing and coastal security, graduated from the school’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship on Sept. 8 at a ceremony featuring Mass. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia, as well as officials and other local elected officials and business leaders.

The 15-employee company will operate next to the CIE at 275 Martine St., on the shore of Fall River’s South Watuppa Pond, where it tests its technology. The company plans to add two more employees over the next six months, according to a news release from UMass Dartmouth.

“Massachusetts’ maritime industry has always been vital to the commonwealth’s economy,” Polito said in a statement. “Increased coordination and critical investments in our state universities and research centers are coming to fruition in the form of an emerging technology company today. We look forward to continuing our work to produce outstanding companies in Massachusetts that will have global implications on robotics and marine technology.”

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UMass Dartmouth Senior Vice Chancellor Gerry Kavanaugh said that earlier this year, UMass Dartmouth earned its official designation as a doctoral research university.

“Research universities create innovation incubators like this. They don’t just prepare people to get a job; they create jobs,” Kavanaugh said.

Ocean Server Technology has been regularly featured in industry magazines such as Unmanned Systems, Sea Technology Magazine and Marine Technology Magazine. UMass Dartmouth faculty researchers, graduate students and undergraduate interns have assisted in the business’ development, and several of the graduate students and interns are now full-time employees.

“Besides providing first-class facilities in a strategic location, the CIE has connected us to faculty and student brainpower and talent that has been critical to our success,” Ocean Server President Robert Anderson said. “We are looking forward to continuing our growth on the SouthCoast and being at the leading edge of the marine technology sector’s emergence in the region.”

PowerDocks, a startup that develops marine-based power docking stations for electric-powered vessels, autonomous surface and underwater vehicles and aquaculture systems, will soon join the CIE, according to the release.

Other marine technology enterprises at the CIE include Boston Engineering and Seavision Underwater Solutions.

In addition, Aquabotix, which manufactures remote-controlled underwater video systems, opened its operation in Fall River last year after graduating from the CIE.

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