As Satchell Engineering & Associates celebrates 10 years, we are excited to announce the grand opening of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

We are thrilled, after designing the aquatic life support for the past six years, to announce the grand opening of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi indoor marine park. This monumental project has been a labor of love for our team, as we have dedicated ourselves to the design of the most innovative. cutting-edge aquatic life support system for this extraordinary venture.

The immense scale of this marine park has pushed the boundaries of what is possible, challenging us to create a habitat that not only replicates the natural environment of the marine creatures with mixed species habitats, but also ensures their well-being and optimal living conditions. Our design incorporates state-of-the-art technology and a deep understanding of marine biology to provide an unparalleled experience for both the inhabitants and visitors.

The new indoor marine park spans over 183,000 square meters, five floors, with over 100,000 individual animals covering 150 different species. Please enjoy some pictures of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

Thank you for participating in our 10-year celebration SWAG photo contest! We sincerely appreciate your enthusiasm and creativity in capturing moments that embody the spirit of our contest.

Everyone’s submissions have added vibrancy and depth to the collection of photos showcasing SE&A’s 10-year logo. We extend our gratitude for your time and effort spent sharing your pictures with us.

There were numerous entries that were sent in and entered into the drawing. We have decided to add two additional third-place prizes to go along with the grand prize and second-place prize.

Winners of the Satchell Engineering & Associates SWAG 10-year photo contest are:

Wes Schmidt – Minnesota Zoo – First Place $100

Kaitlyn Vargo – Jacksonville Zoo – Second Place $50

Ryan Nirganakis – Detroit Zoo – Third Place $25

Kate Bergin – University of New England – Third Place $25

Keith Uyekawa – Asahi/America – Third Place $25

Satchell Engineering & Associates, leader in the aquatic life support design (LSS) welcomes the grand opening of the Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden.

FINALLY! The ribbon has been cut and the doors are officially OPEN for guests to come and experience the Darnall W and Susan F Boyd Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Center.

We cannot wait to share our strides in conservation with guests visiting from near and far!
But that’s not all! We have more exciting developments to be announced in the coming months. Stay tuned to social media and our website at riverbanks.org for updates! Read More.

In Collaboration with SeaWorld and Miral — SeaWorld Rescue is going global with the opening of its first center outside of the United States Abu Dhabi.

The new center will be the first dedicated marine research and rescue center in the Middle East / North Africa (MENA) Region.

The YasSeaWorld Research and Rescue (YSWRR) will be a key contributor to marine-life conservation in the region by conducting research, rescue, rehabilitation, return and education programs.

“The waters of the Arabian gulf are an important marine ecosystem and integral to the fabric of the Abu Dhabi community. The conservation of their marine animals and ecosystems is vital, and we are excited to be a part of this important effort. Expanding SeaWorld’s nearly 60-year legacy of animal care and conservation globally and having the opportunity to share our knowledge with the region is an honor and a privilege,” said Dr. Chris Dold, Chief Zoological Officer of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment.

The center, located on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, was developed and will be operated by Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, and SeaWorld.

Continue Reading About The Project

Ten years ago, Satchell Engineering & Associates, Inc. (SE&A) opened its doors to the LSS industry. For this momentous occasion, we would like to share with you how SE&A became what it is today.

Back in 2013, Robert was contemplating his future in the LSS industry. After 20 years in the aquatic LSS engineering field, Robert needed to decide what direction to take moving forward. At the time, his wife Judy was doing engineering consulting. Rob’s childhood friend and colleague, Anthony, was also around while they were meddling with their plans. While Anthony was waiting for his hip replacement surgeries, he had a little time to brainstorm ideas with them. Judy and Anthony looked at each other and then looked at Robert and said, “Hey Robert, why don’t you start your own LSS company”. That is the single moment in time that changed all their lives forever.

What happened next was a whirlwind. We sat in Robert’s home office, got a large white board, some markers and started to brainstorm. First, we needed to come up with a company name. Knowing that Robert’s name was widely known and respected in the LSS industry, it was decided that Satchell Engineering & Associates, Inc. would provide instant recognition and creditability.

Immediately we were off and running. Within the first week we created a legal corporation, a company logo, the company website and started marketing SE&A. Once we found office space to rent, we opened the doors to Satchell Engineering & Associates, Inc. and brought in an accountant and Senior Designer. Robert handpicked our Senior Designer that he had worked with for many years. We sent out the news that Robert was offering Aquatic Life Support Systems and water filtration engineering as Satchell Engineering & Associates.

Our first three projects were thrust into design and engineering within the first few months we were opened. Fast forward 10 years, and it is amazing at what we have accomplished. We have acquired a larger office and expanded our company to include additional engineers, drafters, and support staff. We have completed 100’s of LSS projects globally including the largest indoor marine park in the world slated to open this summer!

None of this could have happened without the support of our clients, friends, and family members who have supported us from the beginning. We look forward to seeing what the next 10 years brings to Satchell Engineering & Associates, Inc. We hope you all continue to join us on our journey!

Thank you,

Satchell Engineering & Associates

Satchell Engineering & Associates team was proud to be part of the OC Zoo $9 million expansion Large Mammal Exhibit in Irvine California. The new habitat opened to the public on Friday, May 13^th, 2022. The new habitat houses three young mountain lions and a black panther. SE&A provided the life support LSS for the habitat that includes waterfalls with streams that run into larger pools.  Read More.

Bello from the Seneca Park Zoo has proposed $121 million expansion plan for the zoo. Satchell Engineering & Associates is proud to be part of the design team for the new rainforest exhibit and aquarium. Monroe County Executive Adam Bello discusses what will be the largest indoor tropics exhibit in the US.  Read More

Senior and Lead Engineer Judy Satchell and the Satchell Engineering & Associates team is proud to be working with Cincinnati Zoo as they break ground on the Elephant Trek expansion.

Board members, donors and local officials gathered at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden on June 15 to grab shovels and officially break ground on the largest construction project in the history of the Cincinnati Zoo. Elephant Trek, the crown jewel of the More Home to Roam capital campaign that the Zoo launched in 2018, is one step closer to becoming a reality.

“Elephant Trek is the result of a big vision that represents our Zoo’s role as a champion of Asian elephant conservation, both here in the U.S. and in the places these animals live around the world,” said Francie Hiltz, Chair of the Zoo’s Board of Trustees, in her opening remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony. “By creating a bigger space for a bigger herd of elephants to thrive, we are making a big commitment to Asian elephant breeding and conservation that will demonstrate to our visitors the power and beauty of coexistence for animals and humans.” (Continue reading about the project)

Earlier this month,  Como Park Zoo & Conservatory held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open its newest exhibit, Como Harbor, the new seal and sea lion habitat. This exhibit redesign and overhaul features three different pinniped species: two gray seals, two harbor seals, and four sea lions, including Sparky.  Satchell Engineering & Associates state of the art life support design supported the architect and City of Saint Paul to help create a new home for Sparky and his friends.  Como Harbor’s forward-thinking design features include needed upgrades for Sparky the Sea Lion and her seal and sea lion friends as well as for Como’s visitors. Como Harbor is a momentous improvement that will exceed all best practices for the care of seals and sea lions. The habitat features a large salt-water pool that allows the seals and sea lions to swim and socialize outdoors year-round. New behind the scenes space will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the care of the animals.

From a newly shaded amphitheater to a new underwater viewing discovery zone, this multi-layered habitat provides visitors with many opportunities to get up close to the animals and greater insights into their natural behaviors and native intelligence.

Como Harbor is a $21 million reinvention and improvement of Como Zoo’s seals and sea lions exhibit in the heart of Como Zoo. The immersive and naturalistic design of the habitat features rocky outcroppings designed to reflect the Pacific coast. Como Harbor was designed to provide expert care for the animals with elements such as underwater transfers that allow seals and sea lions to swim in and out of spaces, and multiple locations for animal training sessions to allow zookeepers to provide specialized care for all three species that call Como Harbor home. Read More