TMA BlueTech Demonstration Day
Summary
SCH Number
2025110219
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
TMA BlueTech Demonstration Day
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/6/2025
Document Description
The proposed project is the TMA BlueTech Demonstration Day in the city of National City, California. BlueTech Month is a month-long, multi-location, multi-partner initiative that brings together stakeholders to highlight the role of maritime innovation in shaping economic resilience, national security, and environmental sustainability. As part of BlueTech Month, one event would be hosted at the National City Aquatic Center and focus on testing operational solutions to address gaps in coastal security, autonomy, and real-time maritime domain awareness. The event is developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of War Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to explore low-cost, rapidly deployable technologies that can be scaled globally to address the needs of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and general law enforcement.
The proposed event, including setup and breakdown, has a duration of approximately one-day and would take place In November The event features have demonstrations of maritime technology developed by innovators across defense, industry, and academia There would be eight (8) companies performing in-water demonstrations near the National City Aquatic Center Demonstrations would range from have trials of autonomous and artlf1c1al intelligence {Al) powered systems to integrated energy, propulsion, and sensing solutions. The companies showcasing their technology at the event are listed below Havoc Al - Demonstration would test an Al-enabled s1tuatIonal awareness system using computer vision and onboard analytics on a small electric surface vessel, showcasing real-time target detection and dec1s1on-support capab1httes within a controlled operating zone T1deman Manne - Demonstration would feature a recyclable, hIgh-dens1ty polyethylene (HOPE) workboat hull designed for port operations and sustainab1hty The vessel would perform short, controlled maneuvers to h1ghhght stability, safety, and low-noise operations Maritime Robotics - The Otter Is a compact, autonomous surface vehicle designed for coastal and mainlandwaters, offering efficient, high-precision data collection for hydrographic surveying, environmental monitoring, and research apphcat1ons SubSeaSail - Demonstration would feature a small, lightweight {30 pounds) wind• and solar-powered autonomous vessel for long-duration ocean observation The technology Is a hm1ted, slow-speed operation to demonstrate sail-powered propulsion and control systems SRS Fusion - Demonstration would feature a compact mult1•sensor remotely operated vehicle (ROV) platform intergrating sonar, radar. and optical imaging for coastal domain awareness Operations are dock-based and short-range only Seasats - Demonstration would feature an electric, solar-powered unmanned surface vehicle (USV) designed for persistent maritime sensing Demonstration Includes short, pre-programmed routes and data transmission to shore interface Splash 9 - Demonstration would feature battery-powered, autonomous mini-drones for surface environmental data collection Technology would operate w1thm a hm1ted test zone to display real-time telemetry and station keeping Hydrographic Solutions (GRAVA Hydro) - Demonstration would feature a Hydrograph1c survey system mounted on a small electric vessel The technology conducts shallow-water mapping and water-quality sampling Demonstrations would utilize the National City Boat Launch Ramp to deploy and test the various blue technologies It Is anticipated that approximately 3-5 people would be present on the eastern dock of the National City Boat Launch at one time to assist with each demonstration However, for safety purposes, no personnel would be authorized to be in-water to operate the technology during demonstrations. Prior to the demonstrations, a demonstration zone would be designated by the event safety coordinator and on-site District staff This designated demonstration zone would avoid any known eelgrass resources, and would not conflict with navIgatIon In the channel All vessels are electric or battery-powered and would remain inside the designated demonstration zone as to not disturb vessel traffic within the navigation corridor The boat launch ramp would remain open and unobstructed for continued public use during the event Trailers and equipment would be staged m the parking lot and would require the temporary use of approximately 4 parking spaces The event attendance is ant1c1pated to be approximately 100 people During the event, event attendees would watch demonstrations along the promenade near the aquatic center The promenade shall remam open and available for pubhc use should a member of the public want to watch the demonstrations No event staging shall be perrrntted along the promenade Add1t1onally, the event would offer attendees approximately 1-hour tours of San Diego Bay Pick-up and drop-off for tours would occur at the public floating dock connected to the National City Aquatic Center, which would remain open for public use dunng the event Aside from pick-up and drop-off for the tours, event attendees would not be permrtted to watch demonstrations from the publ c floating dock
Contact Information
Name
Lillian Mattes
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Associate Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Matt Classen
Agency Name
TMA BlueTech
Job Title
Executive Director
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
National City
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Zip
91950
Waterways
San Diego Bay
Other Location Info
National City Aquatic Center
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 (Class 4), 15306 (Class 6), and 15323 (Class 23)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15306 (Information Collection), and 15323 (Normal Operations of Facilities for Public Gatherings) and Sections 3 a (6) and 3 f of the District's Guidelines for Compliance with CEQA because it is for a temporary event that would result in no permanent effects on the environment, would not involve the removal of mature, scenic trees, is for the purpose of basic data collection/research activities which would not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource, and would consist of the normal operation of existing facilities for public gatherings. Sections 3 a and 3 f of the District's CEQA Guidelines and CEQA Guidelines Section 15323 are as follows: 3 a Existing Facilities (SG § 15301) (Class 1) Includes operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that previously existing AND/OR 3 f Information Collection (SG § 15306) (Class 6) Includes basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These may be for information gathering purposes, or as part of a study leading to an action which has not yet been approved, adopted or funded AND/OR Normal Operations of Facilities for Public Gatherings (SG § 15323) (Class 23) Consists of the normal operations of existing facilities for public gatherings for which the facilities were designed, where there is a past history of the facility being used for the same or similar kind of purpose. For the purposes of this section, "past history" shall mean that the same or similar kind of activity has been occurring for at least three years and that there is a reasonable expectation that the future occurrence of the activity would not represent a change in the operation of the facility. Facilities included within this exemption include, but are not limited to, racetracks, stadiums, convention centers, auditoriums, amphitheaters, planetariums, swimming pools, and amusement parks.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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