Regulatory Compliance & Partnerships

BLOB is built with regulatory compliance at its core and operates within a complex marine regulatory environment. Its deployment is reinforced by strategic partnerships that boost both functionality and regulatory approval.

Regulatory Framework

BLOB operates under a multi-layered regulatory framework covering environmental, maritime, and data governance requirements. It complies with TCEQ standards for water quality monitoring, ensuring high sensor accuracy, proper calibration, and traceable data handling. BLOB also follows U.S. Coast Guard and international maritime rules, integrating safe autonomous navigation and visibility features to avoid disrupting vessel traffic. For data privacy, BLOB employs strict access controls and data segregation to protect sensitive operational information, meeting maritime security and data protection regulations. These built-in compliance measures ensure BLOB operates safely, reliably, and legally.

Scientific Oversight

BLOB ensures scientific integrity through oversight by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC), which validates its methodologies and data quality. TAMUCC regularly reviews sensor setups, sampling protocols, and algorithms, comparing BLOB's results with traditional methods to ensure accuracy. Discrepancies prompt collaborative refinement. This partnership supports peer-reviewed publications, boosting scientific credibility and regulatory trust. It also allows BLOB to incorporate emerging research, keeping its monitoring capabilities aligned with the latest environmental science.

Key Partnerships

BLOB's development is supported by strategic partnerships that enhance its technical strength and practical relevance. The Port of Corpus Christi Authority (PCCA) is the main operational partner, offering infrastructure, real-world testing, and valuable datasets that guide feature development and AI training. The Harte Research Institute contributes coastal ecology expertise, helping interpret environmental data and ensure monitoring efforts target meaningful indicators. On the engineering side, Fugro supports hardware design and sensor integration, bringing deep experience from marine surveying and geospatial systems. Together, these partners form a collaborative ecosystem that drives BLOB’s continuous improvement.

Collaborative Development Model

BLOB follows a collaborative development model that actively involves partners and stakeholders throughout its lifecycle. Stakeholder workshops guide system improvements by aligning technical development with real-world needs across ports, regulators, academia, and industry. A structured change management process evaluates proposed updates for regulatory, scientific, operational, and technical impact, ensuring safe and compliant evolution.

Open data initiatives share selected datasets for research and education, promoting transparency and public engagement. Educational programs further build awareness and develop future talent in environmental monitoring.

This approach positions BLOB not just as a high-tech tool, but as an integrated, stakeholder-driven solution aligned with institutional needs and regulatory frameworks.