The World Submarine Organization (WSO) was created in 2023 to support interaction and advancement of technology in the commercial, research, expedition, tourism, and submarine rescue sectors for the global civilian submarine industry.  WSO is incorporated in Delaware, USA, and is registered as a 501(C)(6) non-profit organization operated by its members.
The WSO builds on the tradition of the Deep Submersible Pilots Association, bringing together all stakeholders in the submarine industry: operators and pilots, manufacturers, service providers, and regulators uniting to work at the intersection of engineering, technology, and operations underpinning subsea innovation.  At the core of its activities, WSO supports the ongoing interaction by maintaining the International Submarine Symposium – now in conjunction with the Marine Technology Society (MTS) Submarine Committee – as the premier event bringing together the international community to share and discuss developments and issues in the industry.  As a separate organization, WSO exists in parallel with the MTS Submarine Committee, but unlike the MTS Submarine Committee, WSO can advocate to provide members, individually or as a group, the ability to advise the global maritime community in the areas of standards and regulation.  These areas are evolving, especially following the OceanGate disaster, and WSO aims to respond to the global need for providing expert guidance to state organizations around the globe in charge of safe submarine operations.  WSO is a volunteer run non-profit organization for the coordination of events such as the symposium and funded by sponsor donations. More information will be provided during this year’s symposium Submarine Committee meeting.

Our mission at WSO (World Submarine Organization) is to unite the global submarine community through our Annual Symposium while serving as a catalyst for innovation in the industry. Central to our mission is the advocacy for a universal ‘Submarine Operations Standard,’ establishing clear definitions, rights, responsibilities, and requirements for various submarine categories worldwide. We are dedicated to enhancing emergency operations and setting minimum standards for pilot training, ensuring safety, efficiency, and excellence in submarine operations globally.

With the recent surge in commercial/private submarine industry expansion over the past two decades it has become apparent that there are gaps in defined operational standards as well as jurisdictional issues in enforcement of rules.  There has arisen a critical need for national agencies to establish robust submarine operation standards.  Taking a coordinated approach to setting these standards can ease jurisdictional issues while still allowing tailoring to respective national waters.

Our five-year objective is to address the evolving challenges in submarine operations management as the industry experiences unprecedented growth. While existing frameworks for design and construction standards are well-established through bodies like IACS (International Association of Classification Societies), the management of submarine operations has historically lacked comprehensive development, primarily due to the limited number of vehicles involved. Our mission encompasses facilitating collaboration among national authorities to develop comprehensive standards that accommodate the complexities of adjudicating submarines entering national waters from other countries while ensuring safety and efficiency in submarine operations on a global scale.

WSO embraces the challenge of spearheading the development of a submarine operation standard, leveraging our extensive industry expertise gathered from across the globe. Recognizing the necessity for local and national flexibility, we aim to craft a simple yet robust baseline that can garner global consensus while allowing for customization at the national level. By providing a solid foundation for national programs, endorsed by state stakeholders, we aim to foster the adoption of a practical common standard within the industry over the course of a few years. Ultimately, the vision extends to influencing the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to endorse and implement these safety guidelines worldwide, promoting uniformity and excellence in submarine operations on an international scale.

At WSO, we recognize the imperative of anticipating and preparing for the future trajectory of the submarine industry, considering both technological advancements and regulatory landscapes. With decades of collective experience within the industry, we understand the risks associated with disorderly growth, characterized by disparate approaches and national strategies that could hinder industry expansion. Our mission is to mitigate this risk by championing the establishment of a globally accepted baseline for safe submarine operations standards. While acknowledging the enormity of this task, we are dedicated to leveraging our accumulated expertise to lay the foundation for future generations to build upon, ensuring a legacy of safety and innovation in the submarine industry.