Robert Coombs is back in familiar territory.

Mr. Coombs is a former graduate, consultant and instructor at the Fisheries and Marine Institute (MI) of Memorial University of Newfoundland and was recently named the new manager of MI’s Holyrood Marine Base. Taking the helm of such an important piece of MI infrastructure "just feels right" to Mr. Coombs, who has always kept an eye on the Marine Institute throughout his career.

“I have significant ties to the institute,” he said. “This has really helped me because I had the opportunity to see many sides of the Marine Institute. I met a lot of people, both instructors and students, and I’ve been able to stay in touch with them. The nice thing is I can give back to the institute. MI has been good for my career and now I have a chance to help the Marine Institute in some way.”

Mr. Coombs began his role as manager of the Holyrood Marine Base on Jan. 4, but he first came to the Marine Institute in 1997 to enrol in the master of marine studies (fisheries resource management) program. He was one of the first graduates of the program, which augmented his undergraduate degree in biology, and says it helped propel him to a successful career that included positions in the private sector and with the federal and provincial governments.

Over the years, Mr. Coombs has also served as an instructor with MI’s School of Maritime Studies and has helped develop curriculum for the Institute’s School of Ocean Technology.

“I’ve had my hand in the academic side, the senior management and policy side of government and the private sector,” said Mr. Coombs, a former deputy minister for Labrador and aboriginal affairs with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. “It all helped complete my education in this field.”

Mr. Coombs, who was born in Cartwright and grew up in Goose Bay, has only been manager of the Holyrood Marine Base for a short time but he is already greatly impressed with the facility. The Marine Base officially opened its doors in August 2010, representing another step forward for the provincial ocean technology sector.

It is designed to help students, researchers and MI’s industry clients gain access to the training, knowledge and research necessary to develop and lead the ocean technology and marine sectors. The marine base is expected to become a gathering place that fosters collaboration among local, national and international researchers, scientists, instructors and students in the oceans industries.

“It’s an evolving concept and the final plan is just phenomenal,” he said. “There’s a multi-purpose facility there now and that’s just the first phase of the development. It’s a beautiful building in an amazing location and the whole concept of developing a world class oceans centre is perfect for that area. It’s the right time and the right place and I’m looking forward to contributing and seeing the final product realized.”

Another aspect of the marine base that excites him is that it will support innovation and expand MI’s capacity for oceans education, training and research. Mr. Coombs adds the base will aid regional and rural development by providing direct and indirect economic spin-offs to the surrounding communities.

“We’re going to have a piece of infrastructure that is going to be an extraordinary facility for the public and for industry,” he said. “We have to look at it not only from what it can contribute from a commercial point of view, but as a public interpretation facility that looks at our maritime heritage and the industries of today and the future, such as oil and gas.”

Mr. Coombs was familiar with the Holyrood Marine Base prior to accepting the position of manager, but he got his first really good look at the centre and all of its equipment, machinery and tools once he started the job. As excited as he was prior to starting his new position, he said he grew even more enthusiastic after touring the Holyrood Marie Base as its new manager.

“When I saw this opportunity, I liked the whole concept right away,” he said. “It’s going to be a place for leading-edge research and technology development. It will also be a public education facility and I’m looking forward to seeing these goals met.”