Autonomous vessels represent the latest innovation in hydrographic surveying. Equipped with autonomous command and control systems, these vessels operate without direct human intervention, allowing super-human precision, increased accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. 

What Are Autonomous Vessels?

An autonomous vessel, also known as an unmanned surface vehicle (USV), is a marine craft that operates independently without the need for direct human control. 

Autonomous vessels can theoretically be any size, thanks to retrofit systems that can make any boat autonomous. Currently, these vessels range from as small as one meter to as large as 103 meters in length with varying sensor and payload capacities and can either be designed to be optionally manned or entirely unmanned.   

For a more detailed look into maritime autonomy read here.

The Role of Autonomous Vessels in Hydrographic Surveying 

Autonomous boats are increasingly being used to take over tasks that are dull, dirty, or dangerous for humans.  

In hydrographic surveying, this translates to handling repetitive or broad area survey grids, navigating toxic bodies of water, operating in areas with strong currents, and more. 

Autonomy in surveying not only enhances safety but also improves efficiency and cost-effectiveness. For instance, projects can be completed faster, and there’s less need for costly interruptions, like (in some cases) shutting down hydroelectric plants to conduct a survey.  

This technology is transforming the way hydrographic surveys are performed, making them safer, quicker, and more economical. 

 
Autonomous vessels can operate in hazardous environments, such as dams or hydroelectric plants, where human presence may be unsafe. [Vessel courtesy of Measurement Sciences Inc.]

Applications 

Coastal Mapping and Shoreline Management 

Autonomous vessels can efficiently survey large coastal areas, collecting data essential for erosion control, habitat preservation, and flood risk assessment. 

Additionally, some remote areas of coastline require larger vessels to get to the jobsite, these larger vessels benefit from launching a low draft, USV at their disposal to do shallow water work.

Oceanographic Research and Seabed Mapping 

In oceanographic research, autonomous vessels are used for detailed seabed mapping and the study of marine environments.  

With the ability to remain at station for up to weeks rather than hours, autonomous vessels can gather data in remote locations longer than their manned counterparts. 

Navigation and Dredging Operations 

Autonomous vessels are employed in navigation to update charts and ensure safe passage for ships. In dredging operations, they provide accurate surveys of the seabed  and  are a great tool to reduce the routine and repetitive part of the tasks, helping to plan and monitor dredging activities that maintain navigable waterways, critical infrastructure and economic flow. 

Both operations often occur in high-traffic areas, shallow waters, or regions with strong currents, where deploying a manned vessel would be challenging. 

Offshore Construction 

USVs streamline offshore construction projects by conducting unmanned bathymetric mapping for site selection, identifying optimal locations for structures like platforms and pipelines. They also gather crucial data on seabed composition, all without the complexities and risks of coordinating manned vessel operations. 

During construction, the long endurance of unmanned vessels can also be utilized to continuously monitor the site to ensure that construction activities have not altered the seabed and thereby maintaining the integrity of the structure being built. 

NORTHSEA – Windmill park at sea of ​​VATTENFALL Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm. It supplies power to more than 1.5 million households. The offshore wind farm consists of 139 wind turbines and is located approximately eighteen kilometers from the coast. THE windmills are located in the sea off the coast of the Netherlands.

Large vessels with high fuel consumption and larger crews are typically required to endure the harsh conditions of offshore wind farms. However, autonomous vessels can perform the same tasks with a smaller carbon footprint and reduced manpower.

Wind Farms 

For optimum layout of offshore wind turbines, unmanned vessels are deployed to produce highly accurate maps of the seabed that assist in planning the placement of the turbines on stable ground with minimal environmental impact and no interference from subsurface features such as buried cables or geological faults. 

After construction, unmanned vessels offer a safer and more cost-effective solution for monitoring seabed erosion around wind turbine foundations, enabling early detection of potential issues and facilitating timely corrective measures. 

Communication & Power Cables 

Charting optimal cable route is an essential part of laying communication or power cables. Autonomous vessels are used to conduct hydrographic surveys to chart the optimal cable route, avoiding underwater hazards, minimizing route length, and ensuring cables are laid on stable seabed conditions. 

Over time, seabed conditions can change, potentially exposing or shifting cables. Autonomous vessels can perform regular hydrographic surveys to monitor these changes and ensure the continued protection and integrity of the cables using sub-bottom profilers or side-scan sonars to ensure proper burial depth. 

Types of Vessels 

Depending on the specific survey requirements, different types of autonomous vessels are needed to optimize data collection and operational efficiency.

There’s no standard classification for autonomous vessel sizes, and definitions can vary between organizations, but broadly speaking, autonomous vessels can be categorized by size as follows: 

Small autonomous survey vessels (3-10 m.)

Smaller survey vessels are ideal for shallow water and coastal surveys, these small USVs are agile and can navigate tight spaces that larger vessels cannot. 

These smaller vessels are often, but not always, powered by renewable energy sources like wind and solar, but their size may limit their payload capacity. 

SELKIE 7, the 7 meter autonomous vessel with an integrated cargo bay, Seakeeper gyroscope, and mounts for additional equipment.

Medium autonomous survey vessels (11-50 m.)

Medium-sized survey vessels such as SELKIE 7 are the workhorse of the maritime survey industry, being able to both traverse smaller waterways and withstand harsher open sea conditions.  

These vessels are often utilised in surveying coastal areas and wind farms, and are only restricted by their draft, sea state capability, and range. 

Their larger size enables them to carry more robust sensors and additional payloads, making them well-suited for longer and more complex operations. However, this increased capacity comes at the cost of higher power requirements and greater deployment challenges compared to smaller USVs. 

Sea Machines’ SELKIE class vessel is capable of carrying up to 500 kg (about 1102 lb). payloads in her cargo bay and is built with hydrographic survey in mind with ample room and power for additional sensors. Powered by our SM300 autonomy system, SELKIE provides a turnkey autonomy solution for a wide array of survey operations. 

Large autonomous survey vessels (50 m.+)

Larger survey vessels offer specific advantages and disadvantages due to their size. 

Their spacious design enables them to serve as motherships for smaller autonomous vessels, extend operational range, and endure the harshest maritime conditions.  

While these vessels provide unparalleled capabilities for deep-sea exploration, their large scale also makes them the most expensive to operate and deploy. 

Autonomous Functions Beneficial to Survey 

Our SM300 Autonomous Command and Control system provides many features that are beneficial to survey operations. 

A second vessel follows the beacon of the SM300 equipped vessel for simultaneous control. 

Collaborative Following

Utilise one or more vessel locked on to the mothership as force multipliers to cover more area with the same amount of effort.  

This approach is particularly effective for extensive surveys or operations, as it enables multiple vessels to work in unison under a unified command, ensuring comprehensive coverage while optimizing resource use. 

Plotting survey grids on the SM300 UI 

Grid Pattern 

Control width, length, rotation, and leg spacing and click to place your survey grid on the SM300 UI, then deploy and collect survey data autonomously. Alternatively, import your survey line plans from either Hypack or QPS QINSy. 

The SM300 ensures precise navigation for high-quality survey data every time. 

The SM300 autonomously avoids a head-on obstacle. 

Collision Avoidance 

The SM300 enables the vessel to autonomously avoid, correct course, and continue the mission as planned with custom safeguard distances to suit your needs. 

Starlink can assist in accelerating survey data processing times. 

Starlink & VSAT for Instant Transmission 

By providing robust, low-latency connectivity even in remote or offshore locations, Starlink facilitates real-time data transmission from survey vessels to onshore teams. This enhanced connectivity enables quicker data analysis and reduces delays in data transfer, allowing for processing to begin while the vessel is still on its mission. 

Remote Data Processing 

Remote Data Processing is enabled with high-bandwidth satellite communications.  

Survey companies can process acquired data in parallel with field operations, allowing for much faster turnaround time on deliverables. Remotely based  survey data processing staff can be distributed globally, thus taking advantage of time zone differences and potentially reducing costs. 

Advantages of Using Autonomous Vessels in Hydrographic Surveying

Improved accuracy and precision  

Autonomous vessels can follow pre-programmed routes with minimal deviation ensures consistent data collection, reducing human error and improving the reliability of survey results.  

Additionally, the autonomous nature of these vessels enables continuous and repeatable surveys, making them a valuable asset for areas requiring frequent monitoring and repeated surveys over time. This capability allows for accurate tracking of changes in underwater environments. 

Cost-efficiency 

Autonomous vessels significantly reduce the need for onboard personnel, minimizing labor expenses associated with traditional manned survey operations. 

With computer-planned navigation, autonomy also contributes to reducing fuel costs by optimizing routes and ensuring efficient operation, further enhancing the cost-effectiveness of survey missions. 

Autonomy is also a boon for survey missions that require broad area coverage, as autonomous vessels are not bound by the time requirements of humans and can provide features that aid in expediting data collection such as collaborative following (see above). 

Enhanced Safety  

Autonomous vessels reduce the need for human presence in dangerous or inaccessible areas, such as harsh weather conditions, hazardous waters, or regions with high-risk factors, thereby significantly lowering the risk of accidents and injuries.  

The ability to control and monitor autonomous vessels remotely allows operators to conduct surveys from a safe distance, further enhancing safety by keeping personnel out of harm’s way while still achieving precise and effective survey results.

Increased Efficiency 

Unlike human crews, autonomous vessels can operate continuously without the need for breaks, rest, or shift changes. This uninterrupted operation maximizes efficiency, especially during long or complex survey missions, leading to more productive and cost-effective outcomes.  

Combined with instant data transmission via Starlink, autonomy can greatly expedite survey operations. 

Autonomously run grids exhibit minimal cross-track error. 

A Note on the Benefits of Reduced and Optionally Crewed Vessels

One of the key advantages of autonomy is its flexibility. You don’t always have to operate fully autonomously to reap the benefits.  

Reduced and optionally crewed vessels offer the advantages of autonomy while allowing operators to navigate areas with legal restrictions against full autonomy. They enable decentralized operations and deliver significant ROI by extending operational hours—unhindered by human fatigue—and reducing the costs associated with having a full crew on board. 

Conclusion

Autonomous vessels are transforming hydrographic surveying by enhancing accuracy, reducing costs, and improving safety.  

Operating without personnel onboard can streamline data collection and processing while simultaneously minimizing human presence in hazardous areas. 

Sea Machines proudly offers two advanced solutions: the SM300 Autonomous Command and Control system, available as a retrofit option, and the SELKIE class, our 7- and 9-meter autonomous platform powered by the SM300 system. 

Reach out to us at sales@sea-machines.com to explore the right autonomous solution for you. 

The post Guide to Autonomous Vessels for Hydrographic Survey in 2024 appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

sUSVs and aerial vehicles each offer unique advantages, but together, they unlock a range of possibilities greater than the sum of their parts.

In this blog, Hoverfly joins Sea Machines Robotics, Inc. to explore the applications and benefits of combining these unmanned platforms.

Key Requirements for Integrating sUSVs with Tethered Drones

To effectively utilize a sUSV with a tethered drone (also called Tethered Unmanned Aircraft System or TeUAS), consider the following requirements:

• Cargo/transportation storage space for the UAS: Ample space for connection

and operation of Tethered UAS:

• •  Tether Kit: 17.5″ x 17.5″ x 15″ (LxWxH)
  • Craft: 30-50″ x 30-50″ x 10-14″ H
•  Power Connection: Power converter from vessel or generator power.
• Connectivity: Ensure robust communication links for remote command of both the vessel and the TeUAS platform. This may be in direct Line of Sight (LOS) or Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) over wireless IP radio, 4G cellular or SATCOMgfg.

Depending on your specific use case, the requirements for your autonomous system may vary, so it is best to consult your provider.

If you are looking to outfit an existing vessel with autonomy, we recommend our guide here: Buyer’s Guide to Maritime Autonomy. 

Why Choose Tethered Drones?

Increased Endurance

Unlike free-flying drones, tethered drones are not limited by power constraints and can therefore remain airborne for hours, providing continuous surveillance and

reconnaissance without the need for frequent battery changes.

Extended Communication

At heights of up to 200 feet, tethered UAS exponentially increases communication range beyond line-of-sight. The secure tether ensures encrypted, reliable data transmission between the drone and ground station, safeguarding critical information from interception or tampering.

Rapid Deployment

Tethered UAS can be launched and operational within minutes – stationary or on-the-move – providing immediate situational awareness and actionable intelligence to support mission success.

Adaptable Payloads

Tethered drones are a versatile platform that can accommodate a wide range of payloads, allowing customization to fit your requirements ranging from high-resolution reconnaissance, thermal imaging, electronic warfare capabilities, and more.

Applications of Combined Technology

Combining the extended range of visibility from drones with the flexibility of unmanned vessels enables a wide array of use cases.

ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)

Utilizing sUSVs and TeUAS for wide-area surveillance enhances the line of sight from both the water’s surface and aerial perspectives.

These systems provide persistent surveillance capabilities, which are crucial for a variety of MDA applications to include detection of illicit drug and migrant trafficking, monitor/report on illegal fishing, as well as monitoring and reporting on suspicious vessel activity.. The combination of these technologies allows for comprehensive monitoring and increased situational awareness in maritime security operations.

Infrastructure Inspection

The integration of sUSVs and TeUAS is highly effective for inspecting offshore installations, bridges, and harbors.

These systems can perform detailed examinations of structural integrity and safety, ensuring that infrastructure remains secure and operational. By leveraging the capabilities of both platforms, inspections can be conducted more efficiently,with greater accuracy, and reduces risk to human operators.

For a more detailed read of the role of USVs in offshore operations, read our blog here: (LINK TO OFFSHORE BLOG).

Environmental Monitoring

Unmanned systems are invaluable for environmental monitoring, enabling data collection from both air and water.

These technologies can monitor water bodies, identify pollution sources, track changes in water conditions and measure pollutant levels.

Additionally, they are useful for marine wildlife monitoring, protecting against poaching, covering larger areas, and providing precise GPS tracking of marine animal movements. This technology can also be utilized as tool protect marine mammals from wind farm construction by providing detection and notification of marine mammals, such as right whales to commercial and recreational vessels.

Search and Rescue Operations

In search and rescue operations, the combination of sUSVs and TeUAS allows for efficient search patterns and improved coordination.

These systems enable immediate response capabilities, enhancing the effectiveness of rescue missions and reducing response times.

Utilization of autonomy and TeUAS allows operators-on-the-loop to determine ideal search plans into the vessels’ operating and execute it with 100% accuracy, removing the human error factor from search and rescue operations. When used in tandem with humans aboard the vessel, it would allow the entire crew to be focused on looking for the search object, rather than on navigating the craft.

The ability to deploy both aerial and water-based assets ensures comprehensive coverage and increased chances of success in locating and assisting individuals in distress.

Operational Benefits

Cost Efficiency

Reduced operational expenses and savings on manpower and fuel costs make unmanned systems a cost-effective solution for maritime operations.

Enhanced Safety

Utilizing sUSV with TeUAS instead of manned vessels decreases the likelihood of human error that could stem long duration underway periods or operating in dangerous/hazardous areas. This not only decreases the risk to operator and vessel but increases the operational effectiveness of the mission. Minimizing human presence in hazardous areas and reducing risks and accidents enhances the safety of maritime operations.

Operational Efficiency

Unmanned systems offer 24/7 operation capability, leading to quicker response times and shorter delivery of information as well as an increase in overall efficiency.

sUSVs can operate continuously for longer durations compared to traditional human shifts. Similarly, the tethered drone can remain airborne for extended periods without concerns about battery life, thanks to the continuous power supply from the vessel.

Unlocking the Potential: Embracing Combined Unmanned Technologies

The combination of unmanned vessels and drones offers numerous benefits across various applications.

For instance, Sea Machines’ SELKIE sUSV and Hoverfly tethered drones provide a versatile and powerful solution for modern maritime operations.

With SELKIE’s integrated cargo space and remote command hatch, and Hoverfly’s advanced UAS technology, we offer a powerful combination that enhances operational efficiency, safety, and data collection capabilities for your maritime missions

Reach out to us at sales@sea-machines.com or at info@hoverflytech.com for more information.

The post Combining Small Unmanned Surface Vehicles (sUSV) and Tethered Drones appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

Unmanned vessels have emerged as integral tools in offshore energy operations, offering innovative solutions to challenges such as inspection, maintenance, and logistical support.  

In this article, we explore the potential uses and benefits of deploying unmanned vessels in offshore energy operations. 

The Role of Unmanned Vessels in Offshore Energy Operations 

Autonomous or remotely operated surface vessels, such as Sea Machines’ SELKIE, provide a cost-effective and efficient means of conducting tasks in offshore environments, enhancing operational capabilities and minimizing risks associated with human presence at sea. 

Applications of Unmanned Vessels in Offshore Energy  

Inspection and Maintenance 

Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) play a crucial role in conducting routine inspections of offshore structures, such as oil rigs, wind turbines, and underwater cables or pipelines.  

Equipped with advanced sensors and cameras, these vessels can navigate complex environments and access hard-to-reach areas, ensuring comprehensive coverage of infrastructure.  

USVs also facilitate collaboration with other unmanned technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), for enhanced monitoring capabilities. UAVs can be deployed from autonomous vessels to inspect structures like wind turbine blades and assess structural integrity, eliminating the need for human intervention in hazardous offshore environments. Unmanned underwater vehicles, (UUVs) and tethered Remotely Operated Vehicles, (ROVs) are also being deployed for subsurface infrastructure inspection. 

Logistics and Supply Chain Management 

Unmanned vessels serve as essential logistical support for transporting personnel, equipment, and supplies between shore and offshore installations.  

With their ability to operate autonomously or under remote control, these vessels offer a reliable and efficient means of ferrying resources to and from offshore sites, reducing dependency on large, crewed vessels and minimizing operational downtime. 

Additionally, by optimizing supply chain operations and transportation processes, unmanned vessels lead to significant cost savings for offshore energy projects. Their versatility and adaptability ensure efficient logistics and supply chain management, making them indispensable assets. 

Data Collection and Mapping 

Unmanned vessels equipped with sensors and sonar systems collect data for mapping seabed topography, underwater terrain, and geological features. This data aids in site selection, resource exploration, and seabed characterization for offshore energy projects.  

The high-resolution data collected allows for accurate mapping of underwater structures and facilitates informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.  

Requirements for Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) for Offshore Operations

An ideal USV for offshore operations must endure rough seas, possess long-range capabilities, and feature reliable autonomy.  

For inspection and data collection tasks, the vessel should have ample space for or be designed with sensors and other equipment in mind. 

In logistics support, the USV should prioritise cargo space and extended range capabilities for efficient transportation of supplies to offshore installations.  

Overall, the USV must be robust, adaptable, and equipped for safe operation in challenging offshore environments. 

The Bottom Line: Increasing Safety and Decreasing Costs 

Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) offer significant advantages in safety, productivity and cost efficiency for offshore operations.  

By minimizing human presence in hazardous environments, USVs mitigate safety risks associated with offshore activities, reducing the potential for accidents and injuries.  

Additionally, USVs lower operational costs compared to crewed vessels, thanks to reduced manpower requirements and decreased fuel consumption due to more efficient route planning and the ability to use smaller size vessels for the same operation. 

Over the long term, these efficiency gains translate into substantial cost savings, making USVs a compelling choice for enhancing safety and optimizing expenditures in offshore operations. 

SELKIE: Built for the Real World 

Our latest autonomous vessel, SELKIE, is powered by our industry leading SM300 Autonomous Command and Control system which has been deployed on over 100 different commercial and military craft 

Outfitted with oversized hardware and an integrated Seakeeper gyro stabilizer, SELKIE is built to withstand and excel in offshore energy operations. The Seakeeper allows for roll reductions of up to 70-90%, extending its ability to operate in inclement weather and allows SELKIE to complete the task with a smaller vessel size than normally required, economizing fuel and other resources.  

Whether it’s SELKIE’s integrated storage with up to 2 Euro-pallet capacity or our built-in mounts and winches for sensors and equipment, we are confident that we have crafted the ultimate unmanned vessel for inspection, logistics, and data collection alike. Sea Machines is pleased to offer this world class solution, fully integrated and delivered to your operation with procurement and lease options available globally.  

Reach out to us today to learn how SELKIE can serve you at sales@sea-machines.com 

The post Unmanned Vessels for Offshore Energy Operations appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

Whether you’re navigating the choice between a retrofit autonomous system or a pre-built autonomous vessel or seeking guidance on best practices for comparing functions and features, you’ve come to the right place. 

Dive into the following insights to make an informed decision for your autonomous vessel venture. 

Ready-Made USV or Autonomous System Retrofit? 

When it comes to acquiring an autonomous vessel, there are two main avenues: opting for a ready-made vessel or retrofitting an existing one with an autonomous system. 

An important factor to consider is, of course, cost. 

Choosing a ready-made vessel provides the advantage of an additional unit for your fleet. However, this is often accompanied by a higher upfront cost if purchasing. Leasing an autonomous vessel can cost from only $1000/day but expect autonomous capabilities to correspond with price. 

On the other hand, retrofitting an existing vessel with an autonomous system presents a more cost-effective option for purchasing, especially if you’re looking to leverage your current fleet.  

Time is also a crucial factor to consider.  

Investing in ready-made vessels may entail longer lead times for fulfilment, but they represent a long-term improvement in operations.  

On the other hand, autonomous systems like our SM300 can be retrofitted in just a week, provided there is a vessel already available for installation. 

If you decide to opt for an autonomous conversion, it’s important to note that not all retrofit autonomy options in the market may be compatible with your vessel.  

At Sea Machines, we bring a noteworthy advantage with over 70 completed installations worldwide, ranging from 3m RHIBs to 35m interceptors. This extensive experience ensures that we can seamlessly retrofit to your vessel, regardless of size or specifications. 

What to look for in an autonomous system 

Whether you opt for an autonomous system or a complete autonomous vessel, understanding the key functions of autonomy is essential. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly found features and what to look for before you buy. 

Navigation and Control 

Here are some key factors to explore:  

• User Interface: The user interface should be user-friendly, facilitating easy control and providing comprehensive information about your vessel, including heading, speed, and more. 
• Setting Waypoints: How straightforward is the process of setting and following waypoints, ensuring efficient navigation? 
• Sensor Integration: For both autonomous systems and vessels, can the technology seamlessly integrate with onboard sensors such as GPS, radar,  sonar, and cameras or computer vision? 

By addressing these questions, you ensure that the navigation and control functionalities align with your operational requirements. 

A Quick Note on Obstacle Avoidance 

Be sure to check if your autonomy system offers dynamic obstacle avoidance. Dynamic obstacle avoidance involves the system detecting an obstacle and plotting a course to safely navigate around it. 

 In contrast, some autonomous systems may only provide static obstacle avoidance, resulting in the vessel coming to a halt or performing circles when faced with an obstacle. 

 Our SM300 boasts dynamic obstacle avoidance and allows you to set a minimum distance from any encountered obstacle along your route. 

Safety and Reliability 

Ensuring the safety of your investment, especially if your vessel will have crew on board, is paramount.  

Look for quality assurance certification from globally recognised bodies, such as those from Bureau Veritas or Lloyd’s List, as indicators of the system’s tested reliability. 

Additionally, inquire with the salesperson about the system’s redundancies and failsafes. This information will provide valuable insights into the overall safety and reliability of the technology. 

COLREGS Compliance 

COLREGs, short for “International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea,” are a set of rules developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to prevent collisions between vessels and to ensure the safe and efficient navigation of ships. 

Depending on your use, it may be recommended that your autonomy system/vessel of choice is COLREG compliant, or it may result in penalties including legal consequences, loss of insurance, and liability for damages. The SM300 is capable of navigating with behaviors that comply with COLREGS rules Section II, 13-17, with further rules behaviors in testing.  

Product Readiness in Autonomous Systems 

Is your autonomy truly productized and ready for deployment in any marine environment? Is it in production and available for sale? 

A productized autonomy system is market-ready, while a non-productized system has not yet standardized production and installation processes. 

While numerous maritime autonomy options exist, those that aren’t productized may require more involved installations, managing additional components, and may offer a limited scope of autonomous capabilities. 

Support 

Whether you’re familiar with autonomous tech or not, having robust support during and after installation is crucial for peace of mind as you acquaint yourself with your new addition.  

Autonomy doesn’t need to be complicated, but partnering with a company that offers strong support can expedite your transition from manned to unmanned. 

 Evaluate your autonomous provider’s responsiveness to information requests. Is their website regularly updated and does it provide you with pertinent information? These factors can be indicative of the level of support you can expect throughout your autonomous journey. 

Reviews and Testimonials 

Consider exploring testimonials from clients and companies in your industry currently using the potential system. These reviews offer valuable insights into the product’s functionality. 

Delve into details such as: 

•  Whether their projects are recent or if they have longstanding customers. 
• Identifying other entities that have collaborated with them. 
• Seeking information on use cases similar to yours and understanding how the system performs in those scenarios. 
• If the information you seek isn’t readily available, reaching out directly to inquire can provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of the system’s performance and reliability. 

Which is Right for Me? 

With hundreds of autonomous systems available, the choice is not just about selecting a system but also choosing a provider with expertise. Our autonomous systems are the product of 200+ combined years of maritime experience. We proudly declare that they are built for mariners, by mariners.  

The SM300 Autonomous Command and Control system is 13-17 COLREG compliant, certified by Bureau Veritas, and our team is ready to support you every step of the way.  

Let us handle the tech, allowing you to concentrate on functionality. 

Contact our sales team for a free online live demonstration from our test vessel in Boston to you at sales@sea-machines.com. 

The post Buyer’s Guide to Maritime Autonomy appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

It is no secret that the maritime industry is rewarding but often dangerous sector. 

With the advent of maritime autonomy for commercial use, including our SM300 Autonomous Command and Control system, there’s a transformative opportunity to replace on-board officers with Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) in high-risk maritime operations. This crucial shift significantly reduces the risk of injury or loss of life.

In this blog, we’ll focus on the specific hazards associated with certain maritime jobs and explore industries poised to benefit from the adoption of autonomous vessels. 

Maritime Autonomy: What is it? 

For a detailed explanation of maritime autonomy, we recommend taking our look at our Ultimate Guide to Maritime Autonomy in 2024 here. 

What are the Dangers at Sea? 

In the maritime workplace, dangers typically arise from accidents—resulting from either human error or machinery failure—harsh and inhospitable conditions, or the intrinsic risks associated with specific use cases. 

According to a report from the United States Coast Guard Research and Development Center, 75%-95% of maritime casualties have some degree of contribution from human error (source: link). 

Fatigue and neglect over long shifts can greatly increase opportunities for collisions and grounding that cause property damage, injuries, and catastrophic loss.  

Similarly, unpredictable weather patterns are prime opportunities for the use of maritime autonomy as poor conditions can obstruct operations, forcing officers to work in unsafe environments. 

Lastly, certain maritime jobs are inherently dangerous. Prioritizing the reduction of human exposure to potentially harmful elements should be a primary focus for any maritime business or agency.  

While autonomy may not be applicable to all scenarios, it offers a transformative opportunity to reimagine and enhance numerous operations, aligning with a commitment to safety and innovation in the maritime sector. 

Where Unmanned Surface Vessels Can Help 

Maritime autonomy benefits dangerous jobs by: 

1. Physical Distancing: Ensures a vital physical separation from potential dangers through remote command. 
2. Collision Avoidance: Implements an additional safeguard against collisions via collision avoidance software, much like auto braking or lane sensing in a car. 

While most vessels will benefit from the additional safeguard that collision avoidance provides, below are specific use cases where autonomous vessels can significantly improve workplace safety. 

Unexploded Ordnance Disposal

Perhaps the most visual example of the benefits of unmanned vessels is the possibility of executing Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) disposal operations without personnel on board the vessel. 

USVs, remotely commanded from shore, can be autonomously deployed to identify or help dispose of unexploded ordnances  without the presence of officers on board. 

Search and Rescue 

Maritime accidents, more often than not, occur in unsavoury weather conditions. With every second being the difference between life and death, Search and Rescue (SAR) operations are imperative, necessitating execution even in extreme storms or rough seas. 

In combination with unmanned Search and Rescue technology, like our one-of-a-kind collaboration with Zelim, rescuing humans from the water will no longer need to come at the risk of another.  

Oil Spill Response 

Oil spills, aside from wreaking havoc on the surrounding ecology, also present a health hazard for those involved in the challenging task of oil collection. 

An Unmanned vessel can be outfitted with an oil collection skimmer, or a boom that can be deployed autonomously via integrated payload controls, not only removing humans from toxic work environments, but also allow for faster deployment times, a crucial element in oil spill harm reduction. 

Sea Machines is proud to be the first to demonstrate together with the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) how autonomous systems can be deployed to efficiently address oil spills on a Kvichak Marco skimmer boat in 2019.

Military Applications 

Apart from enhancing safety with collision avoidance, unmanned vessels also allow for vessels to be remotely commanded from a safe location inland. 

This not only allows for a safe physical distance, but also increased flexibility in operations for persistent surveillance, or domain awareness, as well as long range logistics, and insertion activities. 

Autonomous vessels can also be sent ahead of motherships to scout for inbound threats (asset escort and protection) to minimize risk. 

The SM300 Autonomous Command and Control system is an integral part of many of the US NAVY and United State Coast Guard exercises to evaluate incorporation and integration of unmanned surface vessels into everyday operations. 

The Technology of Tomorrow, Now 

Autonomy may seem like a faraway concept for some, but we know better. 

Having launched our SM300 Autonomous command and control system in 2018 and with 70+ deployments worldwide, we know that autonomy is ready, and it is here. 

Don’t believe us? Book a remote demo from anywhere in the world and see for yourself here.

Or see more use cases on our social media here.

The post Autonomous Vessels Spares Officers from Dangerous Jobs at Sea appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

Stay up-to-date on the latest advancements, practical applications that change your bottom line, and the trajectory of autonomy in this Ultimate Guide to Maritime Autonomy in 2024. 

Autonomous vessels can lighten the human workload by taking over tasks that are dangerous, dirty, or dull. 

What is Maritime Autonomy? 

Maritime autonomy refers to how vessels can operate and navigate with varying degrees of human involvement. This capability can be included in a new ship’s design or retrofitted to existing vessels through an external processor and software, such as the SM300 system. 

An autonomous maritime vessel can take the form of an underwater vehicle, known as a UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle), or operate on the water’s surface.  

Smaller vessels operating without a crew on board are often termed an USV (Unmanned or Uncrewed Surface Vessel), while larger ships with a crew are usually categorized as MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships). 

The integration of autonomous technologies and systems empowers ships, boats, and other maritime platforms to execute a diverse range of tasks autonomously, such as long-range routes, over 500NM, planned broad area survey/search grids, and collision avoidance. For a detailed list of examples showcasing autonomous capabilities, browse our dedicated page here.

The Levels of Autonomy, per Lloyd’s Register 

Levels of Autonomy 

Autonomy is not a singular concept. It spans a wide array of capabilities, from operations that are remotely controlled by a human operator, much like a toy car, to full autonomy where decisions are made independently by an onboard processor and software without human intervention. 

There are numerous industry standards that define the levels of autonomous capabilities. However, the most widely accepted standard is the Lloyd’s Registry’s levels of automation, which range from 1, representing the lowest level of autonomy, to 6, denoting full automation. 

For more information on the levels of autonomy, click here. 

Tesla’s radio-controlled boat, AKA the first USV. 

The Evolution of Maritime Autonomy:

A Timeline Snapshot from 1898-2023 

1898: In Manhattan, NY, Nikola Tesla debuted the world’s first USV, a 4 ft. long radio-controlled boat. 

1945: In the aftermath of World War II, the US Navy pioneered the use of remote-controlled USVs for target drone and minesweeping applications. 

2016: Hosted by the Royal Navy, autonomy took a significant step forward during Exercise Unmanned Warrior , showcasing the potential of autonomous technologies. 

2018: Sea Machines marked a milestone by introducing our SM300 Autonomous Command and Control system, marking one of the first commercially available systems that can be retrofit to existing vessels. 

 June 2021: The MSC (The International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee) greenlit Interim guidelines for MASS trials, emphasizing the growing acceptance and regulation of autonomous technologies. 

October 2021: Sea Machines achieved a groundbreaking remotely-commanded autonomous navigation feat with The Machine Odyssey, covering 1,000 nautical miles around the coast of Denmark with 96.89% of the journey autonomously executed. 

2022: Sunflower Shiretoko autonomously sailed 750 km. on a commercial shipping route, showcasing the expanding capabilities of autonomous maritime systems. 

2023: DNV and Samsung Heavy Industries announced a collaborative effort on the development of a Remote Operation Centre for autonomous ships, further highlighting the industry’s commitment to advancing autonomous capabilities. 

Deep BV’s SM300 equipped autonomous survey vessel can be remotely commanded from shore,

allowing for the management of navigation, positioning, on-board auxiliaries, sensors, and the flow of data between the ship and shore. 

Everyday Autonomy 

Autonomy is already present and hard at work in the maritime industry. Below is a closer look into how autonomy is currently being applied in different sectors.

Shipping Revolution

Waypoint following emerges as a pivotal element in the shipping revolution, allowing containerships to traverse the most efficient routes. This not only reduces fuel usage but also curtails carbon emissions. (Read more here). Simultaneously, the incorporation of collision avoidance mechanisms acts as a robust safeguard against ship collisions, mitigating the potential loss of life, cargo, and environmental damage, such as oil spills resulting from collisions (Link to oil spill incident).

Hydrographic Survey

Autonomy in hydrographic surveys streamlines costs by allowing personnel to work remotely and bill for the specific time required. This not only fosters efficiency and significant cost savings for specialized workers and survey agencies but becomes especially vital during times of personnel shortage, reshaping traditional survey practices. 

Utilising autonomy can also contribute to more efficient survey grid operations by eliminating the need for grid overlap, resulting in reduced time on the job and lower fuel consumption.

SAR (Search and Rescue)

Equipping SAR vessels with autonomy, especially in conjunction with a Computer Vision system as seen here https://sea-machines.com/product/ai-ris-computer-vision-center/, is a groundbreaking step in detecting and rescuing targets in the water, especially in sea conditions where it may be unsafe to deploy traditional manned vessels.

Environmental Monitoring Advancements

Autonomy is an exciting step forward for environmental monitoring at sea. Unmanned vessels equipped with advanced sensors contribute to ongoing efforts in monitoring ocean conditions, detecting pollution, and safeguarding marine ecosystems.

Defence Dynamics

With faster deployment times and lower operational costs, autonomy is a crucial asset in surveillance, reconnaissance, and strategic operations.

In the defence sector, unmanned vessels can act as a force multiplier allowing for multiple smaller vessels to patrol an area, rather than one large. As well as allow for remote controlling of smaller vessel for launching and recovery as seen here in a demonstration of the SM300 with the USCG.

The Next Phase 

In 2024, we can expect autonomy to become even more widespread as a solution to seafarer shortages across multiple industries. 

According to a report by Drewry, the shortfall of officers has reached a record high, nearly doubling from about five percent a year ago to nine percent of the global pool. This is the highest level since Drewry first started analysing the seafarer market 17 years ago. Autonomy provides a solution by allowing for a leaner crew. 

While the adoption of autonomy is rapidly being accepted as a useful addition to the mariner’s tool kit, there is still there is still a transitionary phase towards achieving full acceptance from various stakeholders, particularly international regulatory bodies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO). 

In many instances, the deployment of unmanned vessels is permitted with explicit authorization from the respective national authorities within territorial waters. Nevertheless, when it comes to international waters or major trade routes regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the integration of autonomy awaits the establishment of comprehensive regulations specifically tailored for MASS. 

With its last meeting in 2022, the IMO has made progress on developing a flexible framework outlining the overarching objectives and standards that these vessels should meet for safe and effective operation, with aims of having a non-mandatory MASS code to take effect in 2025 that will pave the way for a mandatory MASS Code expected to be completed by 2028. 

Conclusion 

The realm of maritime autonomy has evolved significantly, leveraging advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and safety in marine operations. The year 2024 marks a pivotal point as the maritime community grows to accept newer additions to the mariner’s repertoire. 

Real-world applications, spanning shipping, SAR, and survey, demonstrate the practical benefits of autonomy. Yet, challenges in regulations demand attention. 

Looking forward, the future holds promise. Ongoing technological progress and collaboration set the stage for a seamlessly autonomous maritime landscape. 

Don’t be the last to embrace autonomy. Our Autonomous Command and Control system, the SM300, is available to be retrofitted on vessels of any size. Book a demo to see autonomy in action here.

Follow us on our socials for the latest updates in the world of autonomy and more! 

The post Ultimate Guide to Maritime Autonomy in 2024 appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

Two years after the groundbreaking 1,000 NM autonomous voyage, Peter Holm (center), the European Director of Sea Machines Robotics, shares his previously untold accounts of the tugboat that made history and the challenging seas that often accompany success.

Finding Nellie

The Machine Odyssey set sail on its remarkable journey in 2021, but Peter’s fascination with tugboats started much earlier, in 1997.

“Only 50 meters away from my old office in Esbjerg, there was always at least one prominent tug stationed. There’s just something about these vessels, around 30 odd meters long and powerful with 4,000 horsepower or more. Whenever the large ships would arrive, they would take us out on the tugs, allowing us to experience the intricate ballet choreography required to maneuver a vessel into a dock. It was truly impressive, and that’s where my fondness for tugboats began.” Peter recalls.

Fast forward to 2021. The concept for the Machine Odyssey project had been conceived—a daring plan to circumnavigate the coast of Denmark. There was only one vessel suitable for this audacious journey.

“We searched extensively for a suitable boat to collaborate with the international shipyard group, Damen. Initially, we considered a crew transfer boat, one of the smaller 12 pax, and were very close to acquiring one. Then, out of nowhere, came the Nellie Bly.”

During her transfer from Novorossiysk to Rotterdam, the vessel wasn’t yet named after the renowned American journalist. Instead, she was a humble tugboat that had seen better days.

Knowing that this tug will embark on an adventure that boldly pushes boundaries just like the journalist who broke the 1890 world record for solo global travel as a woman, the RN Temryuk then became the Nellie Bly.

Upon arriving in Hardingxveld, the team’s race against the clock to prepare Nellie for her journey began.

“By the time we bought her, there was only six weeks until the start of The Machine Odyssey. We then had her transferred from Rotterdam to the Damen Hardinxveld yard where our partners at Damen helped us equip her, pulling all the cables to the particular specification we had given. We, of course, installed and commissioned the SM300 Autonomous command and Control system which included a very large data collector media server and an early version of AI-ris, the SM400. From there, we had to bring her up to Cuxhaven where we started the tuning portion.“

Following rigorous testing and enhancements, the refurbished Nellie Bly, now proudly displaying the Sea Machines logo along her sides, was prepared to make history.

And We’re Off!

On the 30th of September, the Nellie Bly autonomously departed from Cuxhaven heading for her first port in Brunsbüttel with a captain aboard on standby to comply with maritime regulations. 

“We had a really good rapport with the Danish Maritime Authorities. We were some of the early ones that sat down with them in 2016 and we were the first ones to hand in the code of conduct for autonomous operations in Danish waters. The approval process then actually turned out to be fairly easy. The whole approval process of getting the DMA on board with this took 4 emails,” remarked Peter.

Navigating the tumultuous waters of Denmark, the vessel sailed with the SM300 controlled remotely from our headquarters in Boston.

“She’s not an easy lady to handle. You have to know what to do, but the system handles her perfectly.”

Even after Peter’s first interaction with Nellie, it became evident that the retrofitted SM300 was finely tuned and adept at controlling this specific vessel.

“So one of the things that you have to consider with this tug is that she has a draft of about 1.7 meters. Out of that 1.7 meters, 1.1 meters is the propeller. Considering how little of the vessel is on the water, most of its propeller. And so when this big propeller goes with rotation, that’s enough centrifugal force to force a boat into a turn. Even if you keep the rudder straight, the centrifugal force of the propeller itself puts her into a turn, which means that you’re gonna have to counter steer to to bring her over again just to go in a straight line. But with the SM300, you don’t have to worry about it because she just goes in a straight line while maintaining autonomy, collision avoidance, etc.”

From Denmark to the World

Apart from the SM300, the Nellie Bly was equipped with cameras for live streaming, enabling viewers worldwide to tune in via Vodafone 4G.

“The number of cameras on the vessel was not insignificant. There were quite a few cameras: forward-looking, aft-looking, 180 degrees FOV 90 degrees FOV and also included infrared. So there were, I think, six cameras on board.”

However, the response from viewers surpassed all expectations.

“We didn’t know what kind of levels to expect in terms of people viewing this. So we set it up so that we are capable of streaming to 5,000 people at the same time and we quickly saw much higher numbers than that.”

With a global audience now in tow, it was crucial for operations to run seamlessly, ensuring an open line of communication between the Nellie Bly and Sea Machines headquarters in Boston, where the vessel was being remotely commanded.

“We set up a hotline from the boat directly to the Boston office. A Voice over IP phone that ran over the Vodafone connection, like the red phone from the Cold War, basically. You pick up the dial, you’d be in contact with the Boston people immediately.”

The Nellie Bly in City Sporthafen, Hamburg

Homebound

Returning to Hamburg marked the triumphant end of Nellie’s voyage.

“Arriving in Hamburg again, receiving her with the whole family and everyone that was there. That was a big moment. The relief of seeing her come into Hamburg knowing that now we actually did it, we’ve done what we set out to do, what we said we would do. Now we can sort of relax.”

Peter attributes the mission’s success to having a system rigorously tested and specifically designed for the real-life marine environment.

“When you build it properly, that is, building stable systems for a marine environment, you’re capable of doing these monumental things. We have gone through great lengths using components that are already used in the marine industry. And we’ve gone through the whole process of having the system certified and tested for marine environments, including rattling, shaking, and salt water spray. These are the factors that are necessary for practical use.”

When questioned about the future of autonomy, Peter emphasizes the need not to reinvent the wheel but to assess the current state and make improvements.

“I don’t necessarily think that you have to invent new rules, but accept the systems as an equivalent to a human lookout. The big takeaway from all this is that this mission, The Machine Odyssey, obviously shows that it’s possible, that it’s now, that it’s here with autonomy. It’s something you can touch and feel right now. It’s not something that is in the future, not hypothetical, it’s not a science project. And we have to adapt and accept this technology so that we can truly make significant forward strides in the maritime industry.”

The Machine Odyssey serves as a powerful reminder of our team’s expertise and determination. Since the voyage, the SM300 has evolved through multiple software and hardware iterations, each step a testament to our commitment to continuous improvement. Introducing new technology into mainstream maritime practices is no easy feat, but our confidence has only grown stronger.

Join us on our journey as we continue to expand the horizons of maritime technology on our social channels (@seamachines).

Until our next voyage!

The post The Machine Odyssey: Unveiling the Journey appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

As a collaborator alongside ABS, and the other groups responsible for developing the framework for autonomous vessels, Sea Machines shares the many ways in which our autonomous vessel technology can help operators meet these 10 stated goals. 

1. Maintain propulsion
   ABS states that vessels should always maintain propulsion. In the event of loss of propulsion, a vessel should be able to quickly restart without external aid. Autonomous technologies, like those offered by Sea Machines, fully interface with a vessel’s propulsion system to offer greater automated control over redundant systems to help ensure power continuity. Because Sea Machines systems enable remote command and control, our technology lets operators control propulsion systems from nearly any location on or off the vessel.
2. Maintain safety of vessel
   The goal of maintaining safety of a vessel must be viewed multi-dimensionally, says ABS. This includes management of onboard machinery, mitigating fire risk and maintaining continuity of electrical power. As stated above, Sea Machines interfaces with a vessels’ propulsion systems, as well as all onboard machinery, to enable remote monitoring and command for enhanced safety during operations. In the future, autonomous systems will likely also be programmed to support remote fire monitoring and control.
3. Protect against flooding
   ABS notes that water ingress and flooding is a key concern of vessel safety. Sea Machines’ autonomy system currently includes Seakeeping Mode, a feature that autonomously adjusts a vessel’s velocity and turn speeds prevent taking on water in rough seas. In the future, Sea Machines could program its autonomous technology to keep a vessel within stability thresholds during operations.
4. Maintain safety of navigation
   ABS states that maintaining safety of navigation requires analysis of not only the vessel’s own onboard systems but also the interaction with other vessels and the response to environmental and sea conditions. In addition to Sea Machines interfacing with all onboard systems, our autonomous technology aggregates data from AIS, radar, GPS and other sources into a single, intuitive display for mariners. Using this data, the system can safely navigate waterways while effectively managing environmental conditions. Autonomous obstacle detection and collision avoidance that complies with industry COLREGs is a standard feature of the SM300, adding an extra layer of security to vessel navigation.
5. Communicate distress
   In the event the autonomous vessel finds itself in an emergency or distress situation, ABS says a vessel should be able to communicate its distress to others. Sea Machines’ autonomous system can be programmed to include sensor integration logic to alert a remote command station, other vessels or response authorities when fire or other alarms are set off. In a fraction of a second, our autonomous systems would be able to communicate the vessel’s location, equipment condition and any other critical information for better responses.
6. Meet environmental concerns
   ABS says autonomous vessels must meet the goal of compliance with the intent of meeting the requirements contained in the MARPOL. In addition to providing collision avoidance functionality to prevent incidents that may result in spilled oil or other pollutants, autonomous systems can help vessels operate more efficiently. Reducing speed, enacting precision routing and mitigating traffic and weather can result in lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions at sea.
7. Provide continuous monitoring and situational awareness
   Sea Machines’ autonomy is designed to provide continuous monitoring and situational awareness capabilities 24/7 across all conditions. Consistently on watch and not subject to human error, Sea Machines’ systems can collect and process data, such as navigation and traffic information and vital details of the operating domain. By combining computer vision information with data generated from conventional sensors, these technologies provide robust situational awareness that is never fatigued or distracted and is always on watch.
8. Maintain command and decision system
   The most critical aspect of autonomy is its central command and decision system. It should be able to observe and analyze a vessel’s surroundings, make decisions, execute those decisions and give instructions to various constituent systems, while communicating with the remote operator station. Sea Machines autonomy does all of this while also providing critical redundancy and reliability to operations.
9. Maintain safety of cargo
   ABS says cargo on autonomous vessels should be stored and secured in such a way that the vessel and the environment are not put at risk. In addition to providing the previously mentioned Seakeeping Mode, autonomous vessels can utilize camera systems to provide local or remote monitoring of cargo from any angle, day or night.
10. Maintain communication with remote operations center
    For vessel supervision and safety management, ABS says it is critical for the vessel to maintain communication with the shore control station and/or other vessel traffic, pilots, harbor control and riding crews or transport team. Sea Machines’ autonomous systems aggregate vessel details into one intuitive display, offering a streamlined way for crew to communicate necessary information to these parties. For unmanned vessels, remote operators monitoring the vessel can serve in this capacity. 

Sea Machines is proud to develop leading autonomous systems and solutions that proactively meet the industry’s needs. Our crew will continue to play a guiding role in ensuring that regulations are developed to prioritize the safety of vessels, crew, cargoes and the environment.  

To learn more about ABS’ framework for autonomous vessels and key issues for consideration, download the full whitepaper here. To read about Sea Machines and ABS most recent work, check out our press release here.

The post ABS Announces Future Rules for Autonomous Vessel Operations appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

But first, the basics

A common term used in the industry is Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV). USVs are vehicles that operate remotely, semi-autonomously, or autonomously on the water’s (vs. underwater) without a crew. This term can include small marine drones used for surveying and other specific tasks to larger, self-driving vessels. USVs offer reduced operational costs, longer missions, and reduced risk to human crews.

Where the confusion comes in is the fact that while drones are usually unmanned, most are not autonomous.

“An autonomous system gives a vessel the ability to make decisions and self-govern when it comes to depth avoidance, sea keeping, collision avoidance and navigation,” explained Sea Machines’ Captain Arthur Seaman. “This capability is made possible by AI and computer vision, which drones lack. AI is the underline technology that makes autonomous vessels ‘intelligent.’”

Intelligence is a major differentiator

Unlike human-controlled drones, today’s autonomous systems gather data about the operational domain. They then use that data to intelligently make decisions that also incorporate COLREGs and other regulations, environmental factors, traffic patterns and even experienced mariner feedback. Additionally, Sea Machines’ advanced autonomy system also uses computer vision to scan the environment to collect essential navigational data. To date, this computer vision technology has identified tens of millions of targets – one of the most extensive marine data sets in the industry – and then analyzes the operating domain, identifying even very small objects on the water.

“Sea Machines autonomy and perception systems can fill the gap with what traditional sensors and the human eye can’t see. This level of situational awareness is possible by the utilization of artificial intelligence and/or computer vision. With this rich understanding of the environment, autonomous vessels navigate with greater safety and ease,” Moran David, Chief Commercial Officer explains. In short, technologies like Sea Machines interface vessels to make independent decisions based on a higher number of robust data streams.

The latest iteration of Sea Machines’ technology, called JETsense, is an intelligent voyage control product released in partnership with HamiltonJet. JETsense offers “skipper assist,” or mariner-friendly autonomy with enhanced situational awareness through cameras, radar, AIS, GPS, and other data sources. This new technology utilizes AI and advanced autonomy to perceive the domain and maintain precise steering and speed control during a voyage and can actively re-route the vessel to avoid traffic and obstacles. It ultimately elevates the bridge crew from continuous controller to commander, passing off routine navigational duties to the system.

Supporting crews, not replacing them

Further, autonomous systems like Sea Machines are designed to support crews rather than replace them, like a drone might.

“Our goal is to make operations safer for existing crews. We offer features that automatically improve the ride and comfort, and reduce the amount of work required aboard,” said Sea Machines’ Frank Relou, European business development manager.

This is because autonomous systems can be trained to independently manage predictable and tedious tasks, such as at-sea navigation or following repeating grid lines.

“Letting the machine do the repetitive work allows mariners to focus on high-cognitive tasks, such as reporting, maintenance, critical paperwork, and more. It just makes a lot of sense,” said Relou.

Autonomy additionally supports crews by empowering them to operate vessels from the safest and most productive location. This could be outside the wheelhouse, aboard a second vessel or at a shoreside command station.

“A drone is purely about remote control by a single human operator,” said Relou. “By contrast, autonomy allows an operator to command a fleet of intelligent boats simultaneously, and from nearly any location.”

“Drones are primarily remote-controlled versus being remotely monitored and commanded,” added Seaman. “Sea Machines autonomy gives crews the ability to do both.”

Multi-purpose vs. purpose-built

Drones are often smaller, lighter, and purpose-built for specific missions. In addition, due to their size, drones may be challenged to handle rough sea conditions. Conversely, autonomous systems offer broader applications and can be deployed on multi-purpose and larger vessels designed to handle rough seas better.

While drones are optimized for singular, specific missions, autonomy systems are meant to be adapted into everyday operations. As true agnostic autonomous systems become more readily available and adopted by vessel owners, new ways of operating are emerging. For example, crews can be removed from high-risk situations and operate at a safer location or complete tasks that are company-critical while the system handles piloting, every day.

Because of the need for more robust capabilities to support more than a single mission, autonomous systems are physically also much larger. Drones have a smaller size advantage since developers minimize variables of what the drones can do. The processing power of an autonomous system is significantly greater than that of a drone, offering higher levels of performance, resolution cameras and overall capability.

A smarter way to work

Sea Machines’ technology can be used to support many levels of autonomy, from fully crewed operations to reduced-crew and unmanned missions – a hybrid solution drones can’t offer.

“We have a very versatile system that allows us to span all the different degrees of autonomy,” said Seaman. “Our autonomous technology enables operators to do far more than what a drone can do, with greater confidence.”

In summary, drones are a good option for operators who are looking to manage basic line-of-sight tasks using smaller, purpose-built platforms, on a 1:1 basis.

For operators looking to ramp up operational performance and reduce at-sea risk with their existing or new vessels across a variety of missions, then modern-day autonomy is the better choice.

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Situational awareness from intelligent vessel systems can enable enhanced safety and decision-making for mariners. As the foundation for these intelligent systems, advanced perception technology requires sufficient real-world operational data to leverage recent AI technologies.

The post Introducing Sea Machines’ Industry-Leading Sea Situational Awareness (SeaSAW) Dataset appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

Sea Machines is well-known as a leading developer of autonomous-command technology for commercial vessels and workboats. Its flagship SM300 autonomy product allows marine operators to create a completely new way of operating, taking command of vessels remotely, from shore or from a second vessel, and enabling autonomous vessel behaviors, such as transit autonomy and collision avoidance.

What you may not know, is that Sea Machines offers a sister product, the SM200, that delivers many advanced operational capabilities without utilizing autonomy. This sister system is a modern line-of-sight, wireless remote-helm control technology. While it is baked into the SM300 as a feature, it is also available as a stand-alone product for installation aboard existing or new-build workboats and vessels.

The primary advantages of the SM200 wireless remote-helm system include increased operational flexibility, meaning a mariner can step outside of the wheelhouse to conduct work; reduced operational risk because mariners can conduct work from whatever location offers the best vantage point and safety; and improved productivity due to the product’s ability to lengthen operational periods. The SM200 has also been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for use aboard a US-flag fleet of articulated tug-barge (ATB) tugboats.

But why would a commercial crew need to conduct operations from a second location outside of the wheelhouse? Sea Machines developed the SM200 to solve common challenges from the field and create operational advantages, as outlined below.

1. Improved visibility

Vessels conduct a wide variety of work on the water, from commercial towing operations to marine firefighting, aquaculture and offshore support. Oftentimes, by the very nature of the cargo they manage or the shape and size of the vessel itself, visibility is inhibited from the wheelhouse. Some operators rely on fellow crewmates to step outside and serve as a second set of eyes during critical operations that the captain cannot physically see while navigating the vessel. This relay communication system leaves room for human errors and operational incidents. An installed wireless helm system, however, mitigates these risks by allowing the captain to step away from the fixed controls to conduct operations from a higher location, the bow wings or even the shoreline – any location within 1km of the vessel. This capability also extends to on board payloads. The SM200 enables remote control of steering, propulsion and all onboard payloads, including cranes, davits, winches, anchors, sensors and more. Operators maintain full control of the wheelhouse, from the location that best serves them.

Featured use-cases

Pushboats: Responsible for physically pushing a series of laden barges down often tight and winding waterways, pushboat operators are faced with considerable challenges in delivering cargo safely. With the wheelhouse being located a great distance from the front of the barge train, auxiliary thrusters are often used for greater control at the forward barge. In lieu of manning these forward thrusters, the SM200 offers a wireless solution to control thrusters at the front of the barge train from the main wheelhouse; giving the master complete control without pausing to communicate orders to the forward station.

ATB tugboats: Many ATB tugboats have limited visibility from the wheelhouse during tight vessel maneuvers, such as dockings, and precise behaviors, such as notching and pinning. Wireless helm control allows crew to execute these tasks from the nearest exterior deck or from a nearby shore location to ensure success, and within direct earshot of deck crew.

2. Increased operational productivity

There are many instances at sea, such as marine patrol, when two or more vessels conduct operations together. In these cases, having full vessel crews aboard both vessels can be a cost-prohibitive and inefficient operational configuration. A wireless-helm system installed aboard one or both boats allows for reduced-crew or unmanned configurations, whereby operators aboard the mothership can conduct the work of the daughter craft from a nearby location. Less crew on board one or more vessels translates to reduced operational costs and greater productivity, as realized by a reduction in time-consuming crew changes and other stop-work-periods.

Featured use-cases

Tenders: Superyacht tenders transit between the mother vessel and a second support yacht or a shore position, ferrying people or cargo back and forth. Traditionally, a crew conducts these operations from aboard the tender, manually navigating the vessel to and from the target location and back. With a wireless helm installed, a crewmember aboard the superyacht can control the tender from a line-of-sight position, such as an exterior deck of the mother yacht, reducing the on-board, dedicated resources required for the task.

Emergency response: Vessels responsible for responding to events like marine fires, spills or search-and-rescues benefit from wireless helm technology because reduced-crew configurations enable faster departures when every second counts. Further, unmanned vessels allow crew to complete dangerous response missions from a safer secondary location, such as a nearby vessel or shore-side position.

3. Reduced human risk

Vessel operations on the water are inherently dangerous, and especially so when marine spills or fires occur. In traditional operations, full crews board response vessels to contain and collect spilled products, extinguish flames, conduct search-and-rescue operations and execute other missions. While critical, these activities put mariners at risk via exposure to hazardous environments or toxins and/or challenging sea conditions. When operators utilize wireless helm control instead, however, they can remove crew from working daughter craft and conduct operations remotely from a safer distance, helping to reduce or eliminate human risk.

Featured use-cases

Offshore operations: When towing or positioning project cargo, offshore tug operators often face visibility challenges and challenging sea conditions. Wireless helm control allows operators to exit the wheelhouse to conduct operations from the aft deck or from the tallest point aboard the vessel, ensuring eyes on the operation.

Hydrographic surveying: Survey vessel operators often conduct work in offshore, fluctuating tidal, shallow waters or other challenging marine domains. A wireless-helm system enables crew to stay aboard a larger, more protective mothership, where they can conduct remote-controlled survey missions using an unmanned survey boat. The SM200 wireless helm is especially useful in the manual launch and retrieval (LARS) procedure for optionally manned or uncrewed survey assets.

Target Boats: Naval organizations around the world use wireless remote-control systems for target training. The SM200 offers a safe and reliable method of controlling unmanned vessels, which may tow target arrays, or vessels that are the target. A commercially available product such as the SM200 offers reliability and affordability for target applications which may or may not be expendable.

These benefits and use cases represent only a handful of the myriad at-sea applications, but it’s clear that wireless helm control offers operators significant advantages. In addition to offering operator flexibility, improving visibility, and increasing safety at sea, wireless helm control reduces the risk of incidents at sea and thereby provided preventative environmental protection.

Learn more about how the SM200 can benefit your marine operations. Request a Demo today.

The post Wireless Helm Control Provides Operator Flexibility, Increased Visibility and Greater Productivity appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

The marine and maritime industries aren’t immune to this shake-up. Even before the pandemic, our sector struggled with a shortage of seafarers and innovative leaders. The current “Great Resignation” – the name for the ongoing economic trend in which employees are voluntarily resigning from their jobs en masse – recently forced the world’s largest shippers to mitigate job losses with large, one-time bonuses. Despite this effort, and others like it, the workforce remains dynamic, and is one of the contributing factors for the unprecedented disruptions and delays and shortages on essential goods we are now seeing globally. 

“It is of great concern that we are also seeing shortages of workers and expect more to leave our industries … putting the supply chain under greater threat,” transport heads wrote in a joint open letter to world leaders. 

With workers literally jumping ship for better opportunities and remote-working conditions, the question of how employers can attract talent has never been more critical.  

Technology will create new, more attractive jobs 

It’s impossible to look at how work is shifting without also looking at the driving factors. One of those factors is new and emerging technology, including 5G, virtual communications tools and automation. 5G, rolling out later this year, promises to deliver internet speeds 100 times faster than 4G, ideal for remote work. Virtual communications tools (like Zoom and Slack) are improving human connections and collaboration online. And automation is allowing workers to focus on higher-level, more satisfying, and often safer, work. 

Data by the World Economic Forum shows that “by 2025, technology will create at least 12 million more jobs than it destroys … Technology can boost earnings particularly when using that technology demands specialized skills and knowledge. Technology does not purge the need for human labor but rather changes the type of labor required.” 

Considering the demands of today’s workforce – better opportunities, greater flexibility and more satisfaction – it’s clear that technology has the power to create new types of jobs that meet these needs. 

In the marine industry, automated vessel technologies are already starting to bridge this gap. Autonomous systems, like Sea Machines’ SM300, allow mariners to conduct vessel operations from anywhere in the world, with flexible on-board crew arrangements. Instead of spending weeks at sea, mariners now have the option to command and control vessels remotely, from an office or other secondary location that keeps them closer to home and their families.  

Autonomous technologies also enable a single remote operator to command and control a fleet of vessels at sea from anywhere. In a market where there simply aren’t enough mariners to man vessels at sea, this capability can help keep the cargo vessels – and the supply chain – moving. 

For crew who remain stationed aboard vessels, autonomy can take over the rote, repetitive and dull work, enabling people to spend time on the more meaningful and cerebral work. Automated, 24/7 “on-watch” functions offer redundancy for mariners, especially in poor conditions and low light, and mitigate the risk of collisions and other incidents at sea. 

Equally important, autonomous marine technology is making way for new types of jobs. These future jobs may include remote vessel commanders, marine roboticists, AI and machine learning specialists and others. 

Gordon Meadow CMarTech FIMarEST, Chair of Marine Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Special Interest Group said in Hellenic Shipping News: “Depending on the vessel type and/or level of autonomy, we know from experience so far that this requires more complex operations, requiring different technical skillsets and a different number of personnel. We believe the industry needs to perform a gap analysis to benchmark between the existing workforce skills and the new skill set requirements.” 

The World Economic Forum predicts that about two-thirds of the jobs transformed by automation will become higher skilled. As such, the Forum stresses the significant level of “reskilling” and “upskilling” required to ensure workers will be prepared for these future jobs. Retraining on this scale may sound daunting, but humans have done it before, across agriculture, manufacturing and other massive industries.  

“This is an exciting time of change for the maritime sector and long-term thinking is imperative. As well as raising awareness of new advancements in technologies and regulations, it is vital that we identify skills gaps and prepare the youth of today to meet the challenges to be faced tomorrow,” Meadow said. 

The future is bright 

As the nature of work evolves, it’s critical that our Blue industry continues to evolve and adapt to meet the new demands of today’s employees. Automation is driving job creation, producing rewarding jobs, making work safer and less physically demanding, and can alleviate the pains associated with worker shortages.  

This was showcased in 2021 when Sea Machines conducted the world’s longest autonomous mission at sea, autonomous systems like Sea Machines enable operators to remotely command vessels from anywhere in the world. For this mission, American Maritime Officers based in Boston safely and comfortably commanded the company’s autonomous Nellie Bly tugboat to circumnavigate Denmark from Hamburg, a 1,027NM voyage. The supporting SM300 autonomous technology, which is commercially available for workboats and other vessels, is proven effective, productive and safe for a myriad of vessel types and missions.  

This technology will expand the opportunities available to those in our industry. The resulting new jobs, which will likely offer greater pay, flexibility and satisfaction, can help employers meet the demands of this changing workforce.   

The post Autonomous Technology Can Help Meet the Demands of a Changing Workforce appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

While Europe and Asia have been using robust marine highway networks for decades, the United States and other leading economies are playing catch-up in capitalizing on underutilized shipping routes. One approach includes using short-sea shipping, or coastal shipping, which leverages smaller vessels to carry cargo from larger ports to smaller ones. As demonstrated in Europe, Asia and even niche markets like Alaska (which depends on healthy marine highways to supply rural communities), using a combination of large ships and smaller cargo vessels to transport cargo promotes reliable, high-capacity supply chains in an environmentally friendly, expeditious, safe and secure way.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), this solution starts with shippers shifting freight from trucks to vessels. Doing so will alleviate landside congestion and decrease the wear and tear on overused roads and bridges. Shifting hazardous cargo from trucks to ships away from heavily populated areas also increases public safety, as does reducing the number of large trucks on shared roadways.

Ships are also significantly more efficient than trucks. A modern ship emits an average of 10 to 40g of CO2 per kilometer, while a truck produces between 60 to 150g for the same distance. This number is even more compelling when you consider the capacity differences. American Feeder Lines reported: “A single ship on a marine highway could replace nearly 750 trucks on the already congested roads.”

MARAD similarly stated: “[Use of a marine highway system would] improve environmental sustainability of the U.S. transportation system by using less energy and reducing air emissions (such as greenhouse gases) per passenger or ton-mile of freight moved.”

A nation’s investment in its marine highway system improves economic competitiveness by creating and sustaining jobs aboard vessels, in ports and in shipyards, and by adding new cost-effective freight and passenger transportation capacities.

As evidence of the forward momentum towards maritime highways systems, U.S. President Biden recently passed a new Infrastructure Deal that included an unprecedented $17B to improve America’s coastal and inland ports and waterways, and land ports of entry along borders. The single largest federal investment in marine transportation in U.S. history, the deal is designed to “deliver near-term assistance and make long-term investments to strengthen supply chain resiliency,” “create good-paying jobs” and help the nation compete on a global stage.

It’s clear that marine highway systems contribute towards a nation’s growth and security, and that leading countries are prioritizing them now.

Amplifying the Blue Economy

At the same time that countries like the U.S. are pouring funds into ports and marine highways, investors in Europe are injecting capital into the Blue Economy, the sector spearheading the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem. While many of these capital investments will support “green” environmental solutions and the digitization of outdated systems processes, there is a significant amount of money being funnelled into technologies that automate marine operations.

It’s proven that automation across all industries improves operational performance, profits, efficiency and safety. When applied to the marine and maritime industry, these benefits translate to greater operational output and schedule integrity, and reduced fuel consumption, with lower at-sea risk, furthering the benefits of investing in marine highways and alleviating the problems plaguing logistics.

Automation solutions like Sea Machines’ SM300 autonomous-command and -control system, install aboard existing or new-build surface vessels and provide operators with immediate new capabilities. The industry-leading technology enables operators to remotely command and monitor multiple autonomous vessels from a shipboard or shore-based center. This remote capability enables reduced-crew vessel configurations and mitigating crew risk in dynamic, toxic or dangerous marine operations. To protect onboard cargo, payloads, or onboard crew, the SM300 regulates vessel motions during missions and voyages.

The next wave of technologies will include sensor fusion and enhanced situational awareness with the introduction of technologies like computer vision. Computer vision provides crews with a fuller understanding of the ship’s operating domain, including nearby traffic, obstructions and typically undetected objects by traditional sensors, by fusing data from conventional marine instruments. It gives crew the data they need to make informed decisions that can positively impact cargo schedules and operational costs.

“There are wide-ranging potential applications for Sea Machines’ products that can impact our industry, both commercially and in the government space. From safety to greatly improving efficiency of current ships and newbuilds, to gaining big savings through the reduction of fuel consumption,” said former Maritime Administrator Retired Rear Admiral Mark Buzby, who is also a member of Sea Machines’ Advisory Board. “Our industry is one of the last to get on board with automated technology. We’ve stayed in our ways, but we must now bring it in where it makes sense.”

“I am very excited to see leading-edge capabilities that can bring a higher level of safety, efficiency and resilience to the maritime sector,” added Director at Norwegian Cruise Line Holding Ltd. Rear Admiral Mary Landry, and fellow Sea Machines’ Advisory Board member. “We need more cutting-edge technologies and innovation to meet the demands that are here now and ahead of us. Just look at the criticality of the supply chain, the energy sector and various activities taking place in the maritime commons.”

Sea Machines at the forefront

According to Maritime Executive, worldwide there are now more than 1,000 autonomous surface ships (MASS) operated by more than 53 organizations around the world. These vessels often work in partnership with manned vessels in diverse marine highway systems. The outlet reported: “Both Flemish and Dutch marine institutes are investing in inland autonomy programs in the hopes of reducing reliance on large-scale trucking. This effort will reduce the pressure on roads, ease traffic congestion, and minimize fossil fuel emissions… In the Netherlands, the City of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions are [working to produce] a fleet of autonomous vessels… Other cities, including Copenhagen, Paris, and Tokyo have expressed interest in the modular USV.”

With its rapidly growing fleet of test vessels, customers, innovation partners and dealers around the world, Sea Machines is contributing significantly towards this burgeoning industry trend. One recent example includes that of First Harvest Navigation, which in 2020 launched the first autonomous hybrid cargo vessel in the U.S.  First Harvest Navigation is now using the technology for redundancy and flexibility for crew shifts, thanks to the SM300’s capability to autonomously command the vessel from a land-based control station. In addition to autonomous control and remote vessel monitoring tools, the SM300 system also features obstacle detection and collision avoidance technology for added operational safety.

“Part of our transportation goals are to develop autonomous, hybrid catamarans to move farm products across Long Island Sound. The Sea Machines SM300 autonomous navigation system will help us achieve many of our goals because it enables shipping movements to be completed very reliably and efficiently in a seamless and sustainable delivery system,” said Bob Kunkel, president, First Harvest Navigation. “Shifting cargo from streets and highways also alleviates the growing congestion, lower emissions and re-establishes our waterways as a viable and cost-efficient alternative to land-based transport.”

In our congested world of terrestrial roads and highways, Sea Machines’ technology is reopening our water-world for ultra-optimized transport.

Get on board

Our oceans are one of our most important assets, support our multi-national society with an international global highway of commerce and communication. There is a global race to build the technology that solves modern challenges head on, and Sea Machines is the leader in reimagining marine operations with connected self-driving autonomous systems. Contact us to learn more about how Sea Machines can help you maximize marine transportation with modern technology.

The post Automated Marine Highways Are Key to a Nation’s Growth & Security appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

This new advisory board is made up of the following innovative and respected leaders:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][dt_team_carousel order=”asc” posts_offset=”0″ img_border_radius=”0px” post_title_bottom_margin=”0px” soc_icon_border_width=”0px” arrow_bg_width=”36x” arrow_border_width=”0px” r_arrow_icon_paddings=”0px 0px 0px 0px” r_arrow_v_offset=”0px” l_arrow_icon_paddings=”0px 0px 0px 0px” l_arrow_v_offset=”0px” category=”189″][vc_empty_space][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Q&A

Please provide an overview of your backgrounds.

Buzby: I began my career in a sea-going role for the USMMA. I have commercial roots and training. I went on to the U.S. Navy, where I rose to the ranks of captain and rear admiral. I retired as the administrator of MARAD in 2020.

Haines: I have a finance background in the shipping industry and was one of the first female CFOs in a publicly listed tanker company. I’ve since migrated to the dry-bulk space and I support several not-for-profit organizations.

Kurtulus: I have 15 years in Rolls-Royce, first on the service side of the business and since 2018 responsible for marine. Throughout my career, customer service and business development were major drivers and part of my passion. Since 2020, I have been driving proactively the marine ecosystem into more sustainable technologies using innovation, where possible, to move the industry towards a better future in shipping. In May 2021, Rolls-Royce brought all the industry together in a virtual platform, that included Sea Machines, in order to exchange on the future of the ecosystem with partners, designers, end customers, politicians and scientists.

Landry: I spent the first 30 years of my career as a marine safety professional in the U.S. Coast Guard, working with all facets of the maritime industry in matters related to safety, security, environmental compliance and response, including leadership roles during 9/11, Superstorm Sandy and the BP oil spill. I now work in corporate governance, including serving on the board of a cruise-ship company.

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How did you become affiliated with Sea Machines?

Buzby: Serving for MARAD, I entered into a 2019 project to demonstrate remotely controlled vessels for oil-spill response. Our industry had experienced fatalities in the past on these types of projects, so we wanted to demonstrate the technology’s capability in removing crew from toxic or harmful environments. I was very impressed with the tech.

Haines: I am involved in the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) organization and knew a member who was a recruiter and seeking leadership for a new advisory board at Sea Machines. I was recommended for it. At the time, I wasn’t aware of Sea Machines, but I became fascinated by it. It definitely has taken me outside of my comfort zone but I think what the company is doing is very important.

Kurtulus: Rolls-Royce signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Sea Machines in September to be the exclusive sales channel for the yachting market and an additional one for the commercial segment for Sea Machines products. Based on the connection, [CEO Michael G. Johnson] asked me to be part of the advisory board of the company.

Landry: A colleague from WISTA, who happens to be an expert in maritime shipping and recruitment reached out to me about an exciting maritime technology company.  She was hired by Sea Machines to assist in finding the right people for an advisory board, and thought I might be a good fit. I then interviewed with Michael Johnson, and got very interested in the technology and capabilities, and what it can bring to the maritime sector.

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Why did you choose to become a member of the advisory board? What potential do you see in the company?

Buzby: I chose to participate in this board because I have a long-standing interest in fostering and improving the maritime industry in ways that make it safer and more efficient for our seafarers and more able to serve our nation. It seemed like a logical continuation of my quest to make life at sea safer and more efficient. We now have the great opportunity to introduce new technologies that will fulfill these requirements. Sea Machines’ technology can take over jobs that are boring, dirty or dangerous and remove mariners in a way that makes them more effective, in a way that elevates them. Sea Machines is leading the way and I want to be a part of it.

Haines: I chose to be a member because it is exciting to be on the forefront of an industry that has been slow to change. We are at the cusp of it now and technology like Sea Machines’ is starting to be embraced. If I can help them initiate change, that’s a big plus. Being on the advisory board, I know I can make a difference. Everyone on this board brings different experience and I am happy to share mine.

Kurtulus: Because we are partnering up so strategically and long-term at Rolls-Royce, we also wanted to support Sea Machines’ entire organization to be successful. I totally believe in the product, the value and the sustainability of Sea Machines for the entire industry and future. I am happy if I can support the team on the journey.

Landry: I am very excited to see leading-edge capabilities that can bring a higher level of safety, efficiency and resilience to the maritime sector.  We need more cutting-edge technologies and innovation to meet the demands that are here now and ahead of us.  Just look at the criticality of the supply chain, the energy sector and various activities taking place in the maritime commons.

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Why is advancing our industry with modern technology important?

Buzby: There are wide-ranging potential applications for Sea Machines’ products that can impact our industry, both commercially and in the government space.  From safety to greatly improving efficiency of current ships and newbuilds, to gaining big savings through the reduction of fuel consumption. Technological advancement is really important as our country competes on the world stage. Our industry is one of the last to get on board with automated technology. We’ve stayed in our ways, but we must now bring it in where it makes sense.

Haines: As an industry, we must lower our carbon footprint, attract talent and make jobs better and safer for mariners. For these challenges we are facing, if we can meet them with technology, I will encourage that.

Kurtulus: Because the safety and sustainability of the marine industry is key to our future business model, we need to find a way to combine the targets for the environment with the profitability of businesses. Sea Machines will be a key to lower accidents, environmental pollution and the emission of CO2 in the long run. Technology is mandatory to add to the human experience and learn from that by adding AI.

Landry: Sea Machines is ready to add tremendous value and capabilities to fill a gap that exists in areas such as human factors, engineering, fuel efficiency, waterways management and safety.  We know we are woefully behind in our land-side infrastructure modernization in the United States and other parts of the world. I would proffer that we are also behind in waterways infrastructure to support safe, efficient and environmentally sound navigation and this comes at a cost. For a nominal investment, companies can leverage Sea Machines capabilities to improve safety, efficiency, profitability and resilience.

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What are the biggest priorities of our industry? Does advanced perception and autonomous technology play a role in any of these?

Buzby: I see the most important priorities of our industry being safety; efficiency, in terms of performing on-water missions better; and keeping our industry competitive.

Haines: As I mentioned above, it’s important for our industry to embrace challenges head on, which includes lowering our carbon imprint, attracting the best and brightest talent, and making our industry safer. Companies are looking to reduce fuel usage in the short term. Autonomous technologies can support this by providing the best routes based on weather. It also can help solve the crisis of the mariner shortage in our industry.

Kurtulus: It is a generational effort to move the marine industry into a more sustainable future based on technologies. Autonomous technology will play an important role in that based on data and perception technologies. This will add to propulsion and other automation solutions on board and increase the safety and operational efficiency in shipping.

Landry: The biggest priority for the maritime industry should be modernization and leveraging technologies, such as AI and machine learning, to optimize safety, fuel efficiency and facilitation of commerce.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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