18th International Submarine Races Awards Summary
The Foundation for Underwater Research and Education (FURE) and the ISR Organization held the 18th International Submarine Races from June 22th – June 27th, 2025 at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division in Bethesda, Maryland.
Congratulations to all of the teams who participated! Results from the races are as follows:
The Overall Performance Award – sponsored by Maritime Technology Alliance
A trophy and a $1000 cash award are given to the submarine team(s) from any design category that displays the best overall performance. The ranking of Overall Performance is determined by quantifying the Figure of Merit (FOM) for each team and submarine. Seventeen weighted parameters are ranked to determine the FOM. The analysis includes aspects of other awards and the team’s attitude, persistence, and resourcefulness. This award is sponsored by the Maritime Technology Alliance . The runner up team in this category will receive a plaque and $500.
Winner: OMER XIII / École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS)
Runner-up: EXLIENNI / Virginia Tech
The Best Use of Technology Award – Sponsored by Thor Solutions, LLC.
A plaque and $750 cash award are given to the team in any design category that exhibits the best and most successful use of technology to support their vessel’s design, construction, and/or performance. Something specified by many teams as a lesson learned or goal was to make their submarine user-centric. The University of Warwick’s collection of data along with the tailored simplified graphical format displayed to the pilot for pitch, heading, and cadence control is an impressive way to accomplish this mission. Additionally, their ability to store and analyze that data after the race in a useful way is why the University of Warwick is awarded the Best Use of Technology Award.
Winner: Godiva VI / University of Warwick
Absolute Speed Award
The awardee receives $500 in addition to a plaque IF they broke a new speed record. The previously set world record for a single-person human-powered submarine was 7.42 kts, and Omer XIII has surpassed this with a new top speed through the 10-meter timing gate of 7.682 kts.
Winner: OMER XIII / École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS) – 7.682 knots
Best Design Outline
A plaque is given to the team that submits the best design outline report on their submarine. team submitted a comprehensive and complete design report that addressed all areas of the given report outline in a professional manner. Its use of graphics was outstanding, and it addressed both the theoretical and practical aspects of submarine design in a thorough manner and integrated them into a cohesive narrative. Their use of references in the body of the report was superb.
Winner: University of California San Diego
Smooth Operator Award
A plaque is given to a team in recognition of their efficiency in staging for the race course, racing the course, troubleshooting as necessary, and preparing for their next run. ISR 18 saw a tie based on the recommendation of our dive support staff. This award is based on the efficiency of staging for the racecourse during the ‘Lock n Load’ process, proficiency in racing the course, and ability to troubleshoot as necessary making small adjustments along the week.
Winners: Virginia Tech & Oregon State University
Best Spirit of the Races
A plaque is given to the submarine team that displays the best gusto, fortitude, support for the other teams, and overall best spirit. The winner is selected by the submarine teams themselves. The Best Spirit of the Races is awarded in memory of the late ISR contestant, Steve Barton, of team Sublime.
Winner: OMER XIII / École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS)
Fastest Speed by Category
Certificates are given to first place and runner up speed finishers in each design category. The categories for speed awards include the combinations of the following characteristics – one or two person boats, propeller or non-propeller boats and Independent, High School and College level teams. Of particular note, for ISR 18, the average speed of completed runs this year from all boats came out higher than the highest speeds seen at ISR 17, an astonishing testament for just how much progress was made in the last two years and how hard each contestant and their advisors all worked.
One Person, Propeller, College
Winner – OMER XIII / École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS) – 7.682 knots (New World Record)
Runner-up – OWLBACORE / Florida Atlantic University – 5.512 knots
Two Person, Non-Propeller, College
N/A
One Person, Propeller, High School
Winner – SUBDUDE 10 / Alaskan Home Schoolers – 4.848 knots
Runner-up – LEVIATHAN I / Frederick County Career and Technology Center – 2.753 knots
One Person, Propeller, Independent
Winner – JAVELIN 2.0 – 1.143 knots
One Person, Non-Propeller, Independent
Winner – propulsion / Kids Into Discovering Science – 0.224 knots
2024 FURE Scholarship Recipient – Sponsored by Poseidon International
As an education outreach organization, the Foundation for Underwater Research and Education annually recognizes a scholar in support of their higher education, sponsored by Poseidon International. Liam Vincent from the Oregon State University was our 2024 Poseidon International Scholarship recipient, who also received a second certificate of appreciation from the Foundation recognizing his driven leadership in the establishment of OSU’s team competing at ISR 18, the first ever human-powered submarine from the state of Oregon, following his time involved in ISR on the Kids into Discovering Science independent team out of Maryland in previous race years. He was surprised at the lack of hands-on engineering projects for students and recalled his experience at ISR. Over a period of 3 years, he gathered a team, convinced the University that they could create a team to design, build, and construct a human-powered submarine and then compete at ISR. Through his persistence, dedication, collaboration, and drive, Liam is recognized for his leadership in bringing a new team to ISR for the first time.
2025 FURE Scholarship Recipient – Sponsored by Poseidon International
Awards of $2500 each were made to select recipients who demonstrated rigorous attention to academic excellence and technical achievement. Our 2025 scholar was Nicole Quiram, a member of Virginia Tech’s ISR team, and FURE is proud to be able to award her the FURE Scholarship at ISR 18 as she participated in the races, continuing her involvement with our organization.
Volunteer of the Race Award – NEW for ISR
The Volunteer of the Race Award is presented to an individual or group of individuals who have greatly contributed to the success of the ISR this year. Kim Malkoski, Supervisor of Diving, was honored for the inaugural award at ISR 18 and received an award plaque and a $100 gift card, a very small token of appreciation for their contributions to the success of the races. FURE was proud to recognize Kim for her impeccable oversight ensuring the safety and smooth facilitation of all water operations taking place during ISR 18. Her ability to maintain composure, mooooost of the time, during a variety of situations and handle them swiftly and with professionalism is unmatched. She definitely outshined her predecessor, …which so happens to be her father.
President’s Award – NEW for ISR
The President’s Award recognizes sustained outstanding service to the International Submarine Races over an extended period and several races. FURE took great pleasure in presenting the 2025 Presidents’ Award to Mike Ales in recognition once again of continued excellence as Head Judge for the International Submarine Races since 2011, with this being his final race in the role. Mike’s pursuit and implementation of an improved judging process with an emphasis on intellectual growth coupled with responding to real-world challenges is admirable.
Founder’s Award
The Founder’s Award from the FURE organization is the highest honor.
Established in 2015 to recognize and honor those individuals who personify the spirit of selfless service to the vision, mission, and values of the entire Foundation of Underwater Research and Education. The award recognizes outstanding individual contributions, whether in support of a single event or a lifetime of significant efforts. These contributions will have been of lasting significance and have contributed greatly to the advancement of the Foundation.
The first recipient for ISR 18’s Founder’s Award was presented to Mr. Charlie Berhle, USN (Ret.).
As a former Commanding Officer at NSWC Carderock, Charlie played a pivotal role in ISR by supporting the event as early as 2003 under his CO tenure through 2006. Known for his leadership and advocacy, he went on to brief follow-on commanding officers about the event and became a close ally of FURE until joining the organization in 2014 when nominated to the board. Charlie has been a true champion of sponsorships and supporter of the mission up to this very day. He also previously served as Chairman of the Board and President of the FURE organization.
ISR 18 saw the dire need to extend the Founder’s Award to an additional recipient, one who began their journey with the International Submarine Races as a contestant in ISR2 back in 1991 and again at ISR 3 in 1993.
Mr. Dan Dozier has become one of the most enduring and dedicated figures in the history of the races taking on numerous rules for the FURE organization. He’s done just about every job imaginable—from coordinating with NSWC Carderock as a liaison, to being instrumental to Timing and Video developments alongside his brother, Larry Dozier, to helping steer the organization in both officer and board member roles. His steady presence and leadership have been crucial in keeping both the organization and the ISR event alive and thriving. Dan has truly worn every hat.
18th ISR Teams
- Albacore (Nautilus)
- Calypso Mod 1
- Castorea
- Exlienni
- Godiva VI
- Javelin 2.0
- Leviathan I
- Mako II
- Marlin
- Nautilus 3.5
- Omer XIII
- OWLbacore
- Pegasus
- Sharky
- Subdude
- Subwoofer