Owners and operators of such response vessels to consider the benefits of installing intelligent marine technology aboard their fleets to mitigate these challenges. Our autonomous-command and remote-helm control systems can be retrofitted aboard existing vessels to reduce risk on the water, while increasing operational productivity, predictability and efficiency.

Sea Machines Solutions

Installing our systems aboard response workboats enables:

• Faster, more responsive missions

• Safer mission execution using remote-helm and on-shore operation

• Force multiplier effect using collaborative autonomy

• Reduced risk with obstacle detection and collision avoidance

Autonomy for Repetitive, Predictable Patterns

Watch to learn how Sea Machines takes over execution of repetitive, predictable vessel routes, allowing on-board crew to focus on higher level tasks.

Remote-Helm Control for Safety & Operational Flexibility

Watch to learn how remote-helm control can remove crew from hazardous situations and enables operational flexibility.

Contact Us to Learn More

The post Autonomy Solves the Biggest Challenges of Marine Firefighting & SAR Operations appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

To request a virtual demonstration, click here.

Details

Virtual demonstrations will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time, on a customer-by-customer basis. All demos will be private and conducted aboard Sea Machines’ autonomous vessels in Boston or Hamburg.

Customers will watch the demos online via live video feed showcasing a variety of autonomous and remote-helm control vessel behaviors. An event host will set autonomous missions, describe the various autonomous behaviors, explain uses cases and answer any questions viewers may have. On average, demos last less than an hour.

Vessel behaviors you’ll observe

During the demos, participants will observe the following vessel behaviors:

• Autonomous path following;
• Remote payload control;
• Remote vessel monitoring;
• Obstacle detection and collision avoidance, and more.

Sea Machines’ SM Series of products, which includes the SM300 and SM200, provides marine operators a new era of task-driven, computer-guided vessel control, bringing advanced autonomy within reach for small- and large-scale operations. SM products can be installed aboard existing or new-build commercial vessels with return on investment typically seen within a year. Sea Machines is also a leading developer of advanced perception and navigation assistance technology for a range of vessel types, including container ships.

We look forward to showing you the power of Sea Machines.

The post Sea Machines Now Offering Virtual Demos for Customers Who Are Working Remotely appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

[Our] intelligent system merges computer vision, LiDAR, thermal sensors, AIS, GPS and ECDIS charts on a real-time, intuitive display to provide unprecedented situational awareness and visibility that is far superior to the human eye across all conditions.”

After exploring existing and emerging technologies, Food Logistics concluded that marine systems using AI, IoT and blockchain offer ocean ports and carriers the following benefits: “Better crew management and safety, fewer human errors and mitigated risk … along with improved cargo care and customer service.”

Click to read the full story.

The post Food Logistics: How Ocean Carriers Embrace New Wave of Emerging Technologies appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

It’s hard to scan marine industry news without coming across a handful of stories each week dedicated to the subject of marine autonomy. While much of the industry chatter is still focused on technologies that are clearly in the development stage – like fully unmanned containerships – there are also stories circulating now about the practical use cases for today’s commercially available autonomous systems.

Autonomous command of a vessel is a highly practical technology that aids the navigation of vessels and improves the productivity and safety of mariners on the water today. Though some autonomous marine technology developers promote concepts that involve building entirely new unmanned vessels, companies such as ours, Boston-based Sea Machines, are offering commercially available systems that require no new vessel construction. More affordable retrofit options like these have made autonomous technologies more accessible to marine operators who aren’t ready or able to add new vessels to their fleets.

Sea Machines’ SM300 autonomous-command and remote-control product was released to the market last year and is now commercially available for installation aboard workboats and small-to-medium sized vessels. Operators can also capitalize on Sea Machines’ SM200 system, which singularly provides wireless remote-helm operation of vessels and on-board equipment by way of an industrial-grade beltpack. Since their release, both products have been installed aboard existing and new-build commercial vessels to provide immediate new capabilities across a variety of vessel types – ranging from marine spill response, survey, fire, search-and-rescue, patrol, aquaculture, dredging, offshore oil and gas, windfarm support and more.

As an example of what is available to commercial operators today, consider what these autonomous-command and remote-control systems offer in terms of added operational capabilities:

Autonomous Control

• Autonomous command and waypoint following
  An operator using the SM300 can command and control a commercial vessel from anywhere in the world that has a network connection. Using the system’s TALOS technology, the vessel operator can plan ENC-based paths, track waypoint following and record voyage data. Real-time situational awareness is provided and a human operator can adjust or override vessel controls at any time.
• Autonomous collaborative following
  Two vessels can autonomously collaborate with exact matched speeds and courses, creating a force-multiplier effect over large surface areas.
• Autonomous obstacle detection and avoidance
  SM300-enabled autonomous vessels come equipped with obstacle detection and collision avoidance capabilities. Again using ENC, AIS, GPS, radar, computer vision and more, Sea Machines not only provides intelligence about objects in a vessel’s path, but will autonomously course-correct the vessel to avoid hazards. Once the obstacle is safely out of the vessel’s path, the SM300 will autonomously re-route the vessel to the planned track line.
• Voyage archiving
  The value of today’s autonomous technology doesn’t stop when the mission ends. When operations cease, mariners have access to archived mission data. This data can inform operators on ways to improve work on the water or can be repurposed as plug-and-play inputs for future projects. Remote-Helm Control Technology like our industrial-grade beltpack allows operators to remotely command a vessel from the shore or a secondary vessel from a distance of up to 1KM. This functionality is available in both the SM200 and SM300 systems. Remote Payload Control Both the SM200 and SM300 systems enable operators to remotely control on-board payloads, such as skimmers, fire monitors, sensors, cameras and other tools, directly from the beltpack. This ability eliminates the need for a mariner to physically engage on-board equipment from within the wheelhouse or even on the vessel.

Remote-Helm Control

Technology like our industrial-grade beltpack allows operators to remotely command a vessel from the shore or a secondary vessel from a distance of up to 1KM. This functionality is available in both the SM200 and SM300 systems.

Remote Payload Control

Both the SM200 and SM300 systems enable operators to remotely control on-board payloads, such as skimmers, fire monitors, sensors, cameras and other tools, directly from the beltpack. This ability eliminates the need for a mariner to physically engage on-board equipment from within the wheelhouse or even on the vessel.

Evidence that Autonomous Systems Work

The technology described above may sound futuristic, but the reality is that it’s here and already at work aboard commercial vessels. The most recent example of this comes from an August headline story out of Portland, Maine. There, Sea Machines deployed the first autonomous spill response skimmer. For the event, which garnered mass industry attention, Sea Machines demonstrated its SM300 in action aboard a manned Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) skimming vessel as it executed oil-spill recovery exercises in the harbor for the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD). Though no actual oil was released into the harbor for the events, back-to-back demonstrations proved the technology’s ability to increase the safety, response time and productivity of marine spill-response and recovery operations.

The SM300 demos were executed in front of an audience of government, naval, international, environmental and industry representatives. During the event, these attendees witnessed:

Shoreside autonomy

Via laptop computer, a land-based operator commanded the skimmer to execute back-and-forth grid patterns on the water, as if it were collecting spilled product from the water’s surface. In addition to providing value during spill clean-ups, MSRC pointed out the value of autonomous control in the early phases of a response, when site surveys and air and water quality tests are conducted. An unmanned, autonomous boat outfitted with cameras, sniffers, sensors and other equipment can send data back to a shore-side operator without exposing humans to unknown conditions.

Remote control

From the dock, attendees had the opportunity to wear the beltpack and steer the skimmer around the harbor via joystick control. One MSRC spill responder who was observing recalled a hazardous marine spill response that he had managed several years ago in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. With temperatures reaching 110 degrees most days, he and his colleagues donned heavy, bulky protective equipment and respirators to manually skim the water’s surface for hours at a time from cramped wheelhouses. After sharing his experience, the responder said that had he been able to remotely operate a skimmer from an air-conditioned mothership, he could have avoided unnecessary exposure, challenging shift changes and operator fatigue.

Remote payload control

From both the laptop computer and the remote-control beltpack, Sea Machines engaged the on-board boom arm and skimmer belt. The operator’s ability to control such critical equipment with the push of a button from a remote location reinforced the benefits of removing mariners from hazardous operations.

Collaborative operations

Not shown, but equally important were collaborative operations. During a spill event, a mothership and unmanned daughtercraft could remotely or autonomously collaborate to dually tow boom, a capability that removes mariners from dangerous environments and increases productivity.

Challenges

The success of the demonstrations wasn’t without challenge, however. As mentioned above, these capabilities were conducted in Portland with mariners on board. This was done in part to satisfy current U.S. Coast Guard regulations and in part to ensure safety throughout the event. But having people on board the vessel showcased another very real and common challenge marine operators regularly face: The weather. Throughout the demo day, near-constant thunderstorms (as shown above) disrupted operations. Each time lightning was detected, crewmembers aboard the MSRC skimmer were required to cease operations and come ashore for safety. The series of stop-work periods added large amounts of time to the mock responses. If the demos had been real events, these human-safety related delays could have contributed towards additional uncontrolled spread of products in the environment and potentially increased damage.

By contrast, unmanned vessels could have continued working safely throughout the storms from an office or nearby covered area. Whether the challenges present as extreme temperatures, hazardous fumes, dangerous fires, extreme sea conditions or something else entirely, autonomous systems ensure that marine operations go on uninterrupted and with reduced negative impact to humans.

Other challenges unrelated to the MARAD event in Portland do exist for autonomous marine system developers. Because companies like Sea Machines are building technologies that are available for retrofit aboard existing or new-build vessels, its developers had to build them “interface agnostic” so they could integrate with the myriad of products that exist in the market. Much like how Windows products can be used across PCs, Apple computers and other third-party interfaces, installable autonomous marine systems must so integrate with whichever interface is already on a customer’s vessel. This challenge required countless hours of custom programming by the Sea Machines team to ensure compatibility with the most commonly used interfaces – including propulsion and steering systems, instruments, and hydraulic payloads. These efforts have resulted in today’s commercially available products that can be installed aboard most commercial vessels.

So far, none of these challenges has been insurmountable. In fact, most of them are viewed as opportunities by developers, who want to continue refining their systems. Much like any new technology that has radically shifted the way industrial work is done, challenges of autonomous marine technologies will continue present as they are used in real operations. As more marine operators adopt the systems, developers will have new opportunities to make the systems more intuitive, intelligent and indispensable.

Diverse Applications

While a good portion of this article has been dedicated to autonomous marine technology in use aboard spill response operations, these systems have many more applications aboard a wide variety of workboats and commercial vessels. Across all marine operations, autonomy automates tedious, redundant and dangerous tasks, allowing an on-board crew to focus on higher-level operations. On-water incidents can be prevented with obstacle detection and collision avoidance capabilities that Sea Machines built using computer vision, radar, AIS and GPS data. Sea Machines also helps to reduce operator fatigue, a major casualty factor in marine incidents during nighttime operations, long-distance transfers and challenging sea states. And autonomous missions can be saved and reused for future efficiency.

A handful of additional use cases for autonomous-command and remote-control technologies are as follows:

Hydrographic survey and marine patrol operations benefit from multiple autonomous workboats operating collaboratively along pre-planned routes and repetitive paths. These coordinated efforts create a force-multiplier effect that can cover large surface areas more safely and productively.

Similarly, autonomous ice-breaking tugboats can reliably zig-zag through harbors and near-shore waterways during freezing conditions to help keep shipping lanes open.

Autonomous security boats can match the speed and course of larger ships, making escorting of vessels carrying high-value cargo safer and more cost-effective.

Broad coverage areas or long transits to an offshore site from a mainland aboard offshore commercial boats can be executed autonomously, using dynamic waypoint following capabilities. Pairing manned mother vessels with unmanned daughter craft – ideal for offshore surveillance and monitoring, surveying, seismic operations and spill responses – reduces crew expenses and can increase operational periods due to the reduction in stop-work periods related to shift changes.

High-bollard pull tugboats towing out loaded barges can be programmed to operate in collaborative following modes. Such capabilities allow tugboats in complex formations to maintain an exact course and speed from the point of departure to the offshore project site, eliminating fatigue and increasing operational predictability.

Operators can program autonomous aquaculture workboats to execute predictable routes to sites, such as those to deep-sea fish farming sites, or to maintain station-keeping. Autonomous support boats can more efficiently haul feed, monitor operation sites, clean nets and dredge the sea beds beneath farms than traditionally operated boats or can be commanded in unmanned configurations or remotely.

Tugboats involved in the fleeting, shifting and moving barges can be remote-controlled from the shoreline, a second vessel or location outside of the wheelhouse for increased safety. Oftentimes during these operations, visibility from a tugboat’s wheelhouse can be impaired. With remote-control operability, a mariner can safely and confidently control the vessel and load, as well as any connected payloads or auxiliary equipment, from anywhere on board, without relying on a remote spotter.

The same concept applies during dredging operations, whereby mariners can remotely operate tugboats handling dredge barges from locations with better visibility.

In marine emergency response scenarios, stationed vessels – such as those used for security or fires – can be remotely deployed immediately, without waiting for a full crew to arrive. Because responses aren’t slowed down waiting for responders to travel in, incidents can be attended to faster and often before they escalate into large-scale situations.

In the case of marine fire responses, two unmanned boats can autonomously collaborate in highly aggressive sweeping patterns that put out flames faster than more conservative, manned boats could.

Operators can very quickly deploy unmanned or minimally manned search-and-rescue vessels, helping to locate missing people at sea faster. These vessels can be outfitted with thermal and night-vision cameras, as well as other sensors, to provide real-time situational awareness to remote vessel operators. Off-boat operators can remotely control these on-board payloads.

For government operators, unmanned vessels can be stationed long-term at sea to serve as the vital communication link between aerial and subsea assets. These vessels can also serve as a “floating battery,” providing power to connect stand-off vessels to SATCOMs.

For special forces ops, minimally manned and unmanned marine operations allow for removal of military personnel from potential hostage situations. Unmanned drone boats can also serve as diversions, allowing crewed boats to complete missions safely.

Autonomous marine assets can support marine rescue operations, expeditionary logistics and humanitarian relief efforts because they can deliver cargo, ammunition and personnel faster and more cost-effectively. Minimally manned vessels can also serve as efficient “floating hospitals,” allowing more room for medical staff and patients. Following disasters near coastal areas, an unmanned vessel stationed near shore can provide a signal to restore communications and connectivity.

Again, these are just some of the many use cases for today’s available autonomous marine technology. Every day, more and more applications arise, each born out of the need to improve operational safety, productivity and predictability.

What’s Next: Technology for Larger Vessels

The marine industry is on the cusp of even larger changes due to this surge of technological innovation. The next wave of progress will include Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)-powered perception systems for bigger vessels – including ships, tankers, cruise ships and ferries – that will provide advanced situational awareness for piloting. Such technology will provide mariners aboard with a full picture of ship’s surrounding domain, traffic and obstacles using data from conventional marine sensors (like radar and AIS) fused with new technologies, such as real-time image recognition for vessel detection and tracking and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR).

The version of this technology under development by Sea Machines will display these data feeds in a user-friendly way on wide-angle RGB and thermal panoramic screens located in the wheelhouse and other areas of the ship. Sea Machines reports that its system is “always on watch,” and supports navigation 24/7, even in poor visibility and challenging weather conditions.

Along with serving as an advanced situational awareness system, Sea Machines’ system will also act as a hub and conduit for shipboard digital data. This system will collect, display, record and transmit operational telemetry and data, such as navigation and traffic information, videos of the operating domain, environmental information and the condition of on-board machinery.

The main advantages of advanced perception and situational awareness technologies is the reduced risk of uncontrolled incidents, accidents and delays that impact cargo schedules and reduce operators’ bottom lines. These incidents are traditionally caused by limitations in conventional shipboard instruments and the perception limitations of human operators.

Sea Machines is now trialing its A.I.-powered perception and situational awareness technology aboard an A.P. Moeller-Maersk’s new-build VISTULA-class ice-classed container ships in Denmark. The project has been significant not only to Sea Machines and Maersk, but also to the larger maritime industry as the installation marked first time computer vision, LiDAR and perception software have been utilized aboard a container vessel to augment and upgrade transit operations. This system is expected to become commercially available to maritime operators and naval architecture and marine engineering firms in 2020.

Advanced Technology is a Differentiator for Naval Architects

Autonomous control and intelligent perception systems are establishing themselves as differentiators for naval architecture and marine engineering firms who offer them. As operator demand for more modern marine technology grows, the firms that offer these solutions to customers will define themselves as forward-thinking, relevant and highly competitive. An uptick in technological innovation demand on the naval and marine government side is already being seen, with the commercial market quickly following.

While some naval architects are designing new, purpose-built autonomous vessels from the hull up, firms can also consider more flexible, installable autonomous marine systems as an option for customers seeking innovative, new capabilities. The latter is often a more realistic and cost-effective option for marine operators, since installation doesn’t always require the commitment of a new-build vessel.

As an example, Sea Machines’ retrofit-ready systems require only 10 components for installation and can be added to new or existing vessels in less than a week – a tremendous value-add for design firms. With Sea Machines’ return on investment typically seen within a year for commercial operators, naval architects have little reason not to include it as an option for buyers. Even for marine construction projects happening now in shipyards, Sea Machines’ interface-agnostic systems can be added on typically without significant impacts to current delivery timelines.

Naval architecture firms have the unique opportunity to now develop their reputations as innovative solution providers both through the development of custom autonomous vessel designs and retrofit autonomy options. Each option is viable and can be rationalized in today’s marketplace. No matter the approach taken, naval architecture and marine engineering firms have an important role in autonomy’s adoption, which is rapidly changing the way marine business is conducted.

A Safer, More Efficient and More Competitive Industry

In summary, autonomous-command and remote-helm control systems generally offer marine operators the following advantages:

• Autonomous command for more productive, predictable and safer marine operations;
• Remote-helm control for faster responses and reduced operational costs; and
• Remote payload control for on-board equipment cameras, sensors and more;
• Collaborative operations for a force-multiplier effect;
• Crew support to reduce incidents related to fatigue, poor visibility and challenging environments;
• Unmanned operations for increased safety and reduced stop-work periods; and
• Overall reduced manual effort that allows human operators to focus on higher-level tasks.

During the MASS Conference 2019, the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s Richard Balzano, deputy administrator (shown above, operating Sea Machines’ remote helm control), said:

“The way we see automation at the Maritime Administration is as a potential enabler to a safer, more efficient and more competitive mode of water transportation that provides more and better jobs for America’s highly trained and dedicated mariners.”

As the marine industry workforce ages, modern technology will play a role in drawing in younger recruits. In this day and age of smart phones and TVs and self-parking cars, the next generation of mariners will not only appreciate and respect the capabilities of modern “smart ships,” but will also expect it.

It’s up to all of us in the industry – whether we are naval architects, marine engineers, vessel owners, mariners or enthusiasts – to recognize the value modern technology brings to operations by way of increased productivity, predictability and safety. Those who capitalize on today’s available technology will reap the greatest benefits as others in the industry play catch-up in the coming months and years.

Click here to contact a member of the Sea Machines team.

The post Steering the Future with Autonomous Control and Intelligent Perception Systems appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

“Intelligent solutions and vessel autonomy will not only change the face of international maritime transportation but will add unprecedented levels of safety, operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. Soon, highly sophisticated vessels will operate with limited-to-no human interface. Thanks to the incremental and exponential achievements made by technical leaders, we are now witnessing the rapid transformation from human to machine.”

Read the full article to learn why the author concludes this and what evidence he has to show that commercial-grade autonomous technologies are here now — and here to stay. 

The post The Maritime Executive: More than Meets the Eye appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

“Sea Machines develops command and control systems that can be installed on existing vessels such as tugboats, fireboats, ferries and patrol boats. The systems use proprietary technology to connect a vessel’s propulsion machinery with its navigation sensors, enabling the ship to follow a preset route, collaborate with other vessels, and detect and avoid obstacles.”

Click here to read the story in full and to learn what leading developers, like Sea Machines, are contributing to the commercial marine industry. Communications of the ACM is the leading print and online publication for the computing and information technology fields.

The post Communications of the ACM: Autonomy and Automation on the Water appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

Johnson will team up with several other marine industry leaders for the panels, which all are scheduled for Thursday, December 5. Event participants can attend Sea Machines’ presentations at the following times:

1. 9:15 a.m. | “Autonomous Vessels Today” Think Tank
   Johnson and the Maritime Administration (MARAD)’s Richard Balzano, deputy administrator, will share details about Sea Machines’ recent success in demonstrating the effectiveness of autonomous-command and remote-helm technology in increasing the productivity, speed and safety of Marine Spill Response Corp.’s commercial spill response operations. Johnson will also discuss the commercial availability of Sea Machines’ technology, as well as other industry applications.

2. 11:45 a.m. | “Improving Operator Visibility with Advanced Situational Awareness” Inland Waterways & Passenger Vessel Program Panel
   Johnson and ZF Marine Propulsion Systems’ Drew Orvieto, senior manager, commercial fast craft product line and engineering, will discuss the evolving technology behind vessel intelligence and will help ferry operators understand how they can best utilize these industry-revolutionizing systems. The speakers will also discuss the cutting-edge digital systems, such as A.I.-empowered marine camera vision, that are on the roadmap to full vessel intelligence.

3. 1:00 p.m. | “Developing and Offering Autonomous Marine Technology” Shipyard Program Panel
   Johnson; Metal Shark’s Chris Allard, CEO; HamiltonJet’s Tom Latham, general manager; and Siemen’s David Grucza, director of U.S. Marine, will share how shipbuilders that offer autonomous marine technologies can develop a reputation for innovation, a competitive market advantage and new revenue streams. The group will also provide insight about what’s involved during the installation of such technology aboard commercial marine surface vessels.

In addition to leading the above panel discussions, Sea Machines will host live demonstrations of its commercially available SM300 autonomous-command and remote-helm control system from the company’s booth #3137. The demonstrations are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, and Thurs., Dec 5. Attendees can expect to see a New Orleans-based operator command and control a workboat more than 1,500 miles away in Boston waters. During the demos, attendees will observe the following vessel behaviors:

• Autonomous path following;
• Autonomous collaborative following; 
• Remote payload control;
• Remote vessel monitoring;
• Obstacle detection and collision avoidance, and more.

Sea Machines’ SM Series of products, which includes the SM300 and SM200, provides marine operators a new era of task-driven, computer-guided vessel control, bringing advanced autonomy within reach for small- and large-scale operations. SM products can be installed aboard existing or new-build commercial vessels with return on investment typically seen within a year. Sea Machines is also a leading developer of advanced perception and navigation assistance technology for a range of vessel types, including container ships. The company is currently testing its perception and situational awareness technology aboard one of A.P. Moller-Maersk’s new-build ice-class container ships and has several other installations scheduled.

About Sea Machines
Headquartered in the global tech hub of Boston and operating globally, Sea Machines is the leader in pioneering autonomous control and advanced perception systems for the marine industries. Founded in 2015, the company builds autonomous vessel software and systems, which increases the safety, efficiency and performance of ships, workboats and commercial vessels. Learn more about Sea Machines at www.sea-machines.com.  

About U.S. DOT Maritime Administration
The United States Maritime Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Transportation. Its programs promote the use of waterborne transportation and its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation system, and the viability of the U.S. merchant marine. The Maritime Administration works in many areas involving ships and shipping, shipbuilding, port operations, vessel operations, national security, environment, and safety.

About the Marine Spill Response Corporation
The Marine Spill Response Corporation is a not-for-profit, U.S. Coast Guard-classified Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO). MSRC was formed in conjunction with the Marine Preservation Association (MPA) in 1990 to offer oil spill response services and mitigate damage to the environment. With over 25 years of experience, MSRC offers a full range of oil spill response capabilities intended to help meet the planning criteria of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90).

About Metal Shark
Metal Shark is a diversified shipbuilder specializing in the design and construction of welded aluminum and steel vessels from 16’ to over 300’ for defense, law enforcement, and commercial operators. Key customers include the United States Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, Army, foreign militaries, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, passenger vessel operators, pilot associations, towboat operators, and other clients worldwide. With three fully self-contained shipbuilding facilities in Alabama and Louisiana USA plus a dedicated engineering facility in Croatia, Metal Shark’s 500+ employees produce over 200 vessels per year with a proud and proven track record of high quality, on time deliveries.

About HamiltonJet
HamiltonJet is the leading designer and manufacturer of waterjet propulsion systems. Sixty five years of history, a single product focus, unmatched investment in research and development, and an unfailing attention to quality, has resulted in HamiltonJet being the largest global supplier of waterjets and controls systems. Our product range of 20 jet models extends from the most basic mechanically controlled HJ212 absorbing 313hp, all the way through to the HT1000, capable of absorbing 7500hp. Being at the forefront of propulsion technology, our four controls systems provides solutions for every requirement, and for the last fifteen years, HamiltonJet has been the leading integrator of waterjets and controls into autonomous and unmanned vessels. Waterjets is in our DNA, Creation, Innovation and Evolution. ww.hamiltonjet.com 

About Siemens
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 170 years. The company is active around the globe, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of efficient power generation and power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. With its publicly listed subsidiary Siemens Healthineers AG, the company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal 2018, which ended on September 30, 2018, Siemens generated revenue of €83.0 billion and net income of €6.1 billion. At the end of September 2018, the company had around 379,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.

# # #

The post Sea Machines to Serve as Leading Expert on Autonomous-Command & Advanced Perception Technology during 2019 WorkBoat Show appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

Sea Machines Increases the Productivity and Safety of Offshore Vessels

Read about how Sea Machines technologies support the offshore wind industry in our blog article on the subject: “Sea Machines Increases the Productivity and Safety of Offshore Vessels.”

The post Connect with Sea Machines at WindEurope Offshore 2019 in Copenhagen appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

Read on to learn more about primary ways Sea Machines’ remote helm control vessel technology can be used to help mariners to do their jobs more safely, faster and more productively.

Sea Machines’ Frank Marino remotely controls a Marine Spill Response skimmer from the shore in Portland, Maine. Speed increased 3x.

Remote Helm Control

This feature is particularly useful during the operations of fleeting, shifting and moving barges via tugboat. Oftentimes, visibility from a wheelhouse can be impaired during these tasks, due to high cargo loads and distance between operator and contact point. But with remote-helm operability, a mariner on board the tugboat can step outside of the wheelhouse to whatever location gives him the best visibility. From there, he can safely and confidently control the vessel and load, as well as any connected payloads or auxiliary equipment, without relying on a remote spotter. Improving the visibility of on-board crews during a variety of vessel operations is paramount to mariner safety and can help to avoid costly incidents that result from visibility challenges.

Remote Payload Control

Common aboard workboats are various types of payloads, including fire monitors, environmental sampling equipment, skimmers and more. The Sea Machines beltpack enables operators to activate such equipment from an on-shore location or from a secondary vessel, eliminating the need for a human to be in the wheelhouse for the job. For ATB operators, this safety feature is especially helpful during the precision task of mating of an ATB’s tug and barge. Using the Sea Machines beltpack, ATB operators now have the ability to engage the pins connecting the two vessels from any nearby location that offers the best visibility, reducing the risk of damage to the pins from misalignment.

Sea Machines’ Chris Spagna remotely controls a TUCO fireboat from the shore in Denmark.

Reducing the Exposure of Crews to Hazards

For workboats that operate in hazardous and dangerous environments – such as fireboats, spill-response vessels and patrol boats – adding Sea Machines remote helm control functionality enables operators to reduce or remove crew from vessels. Always operated with a human in the loop, Sea Machines remote-control vessels can be commanded safely from a mothership or on-shore location, with or without crews on board. This means oil spills can be surveyed, sampled and cleaned up with significantly reduced or eliminated risk to the health and well-being of mariners.

Faster Vessel Deployment for Responses

When an emergency call comes in, workboat operators often have to wait for crews to arrive before a response can begin. This delay often leads to deteriorating conditions on the scene, adding to the damages and cost of an incident. With remote helm controlled vessels at the ready, however, responders can deploy response vessels – such as fireboats – the moment a call comes in, without waiting on crews to arrive. Once on the scene, remote payload control allows remote operators to activate water monitors and other equipment from a safe distance to extinguish flames while they are still manageable. Every second counts in emergency situations on the water, and remote helm control vessel technologies enable vessel operators to activate response boats faster.

Force-Multiplier Effect

Those in the marine survey, dredging or nuclear detection business know how time-consuming it is to manually execute grid patterns across large bodies of water via traditionally methods. With remote-control technology added to a vessel, mariners aboard a mothership can now remotely command unmanned daughtercraft – a capability that generates a force-multiplier effect. This means fleets of smaller workboats can operate during day and nighttime hours, in conditions unsafe for human crews, and without stopping for shift-changes, all factors that ensure areas are mapped, dredged or searched more efficiently than ever.

Reducing Human Error and Fatigue

Human error and fatigue are commonly cited as common reasons for commercial vessel incidents. Remote helm control technologies give operators the chance to allow a secondary operator located on-shore or aboard a second vessel to take over navigation or tasks while on-board mariners rest. Remotely controlled cameras and other sensors ensure offsite operators have full situational awareness. These safety features are critical for time-sensitive or demanding marine missions, such as search-and-rescue operations or spill-responses.

Deploying remote operations is ideal for applications such as mothership/daughter ship arrangements, marine-spill response, firefighting, patrol and security, aquaculture and more. The SM300 or SM200 can be added to all types of workboats as a retrofit or as part of new-build specifications, typically requiring only 10 components to install. Most vessels can be outfitted with a Sea Machines system in just a couple days. Even for small fleets, the system is surprisingly accessible, thanks to an affordable price point or flexible leasing options.

Contact Sea Machines

Contact Sea Machines to learn more about how our remote helm control technology can aid your marine vessel operations.

The post Six Ways Remote Helm Control Technology Improves Marine Vessel Operations appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

During the Sea Machines portion of the panel, Jesse Roper, user interface team lead, (pictured) honed in on the topic of risk assessment, explaining what challenges must be managed for the industry to adopt autonomous shipping. He also shared details about Sea Machines’ SM300 autonomous-command and remote-helm control system for workboats and other commercial vessels, calling out the product’s highly valuable applications in marine spill response and marine fire operations. Moving on to Sea Machines’ in-development products, he outlined the abilities of the SM400 advanced perception and situational awareness technology for larger ships. This product, currently being trialed aboard an A.P. Moller-Maersk container ship, utilizes computer vision, LiDAR and sensor fusion software to offer ship operators improved at-sea situational awareness, object identification and tracking capabilities. The system will also provide intuitive remote monitoring and can serve as a data recording platform.

World ECDIS Day attendees were also treated to three hour-long workshops, one of which was hosted aboard a passenger vessel that navigated the River Elbe (pictured). The event proved to be an exceptional opportunity for Sea Machines to hear from vessel owners about their digitization needs and concerns, and to share the latest product details.

Photos by Jesse Roper and Uwe Scheumann

The post World ECDIS Day 2019: “Challenges, Advantages and Solutions of Digitisation” Panel appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

Sea Machines and Metal Shark recently commenced demos using the new platform, and units are now available for acquisition by government and commercial operators under Metal Shark’s stock boat program. 

“We founded Sharktech in 2018 to streamline the customer’s path to autonomy by bridging the gap between the industry’s autonomous software developers and the traditional shipbuilder,” said Metal Shark CEO Chris Allard. “Now, in conjunction with Sea Machines we have developed a turn-key autonomous production model to be kept in our regular stock rotation and available for near-immediate delivery.”

“The decision to partner with Metal Shark is yet another example of Sea Machines’ commitment to delivering advanced technology to the commercial marine market,” said Sea Machines’ founder and CEO Michael G. Johnson. “With our systems installed on board, commercial operators and government users alike will benefit from increased operational productivity and safety, and will gain capabilities such as force multiplication, collaborative vessel operations and remote payload control – all of which allows operators to do more with less.”

Through Sea Machines’ SM300 autonomous control and monitoring system, the Sharktech 29 Defiant and all onboard systems are commanded via a direct wireless PC-based user interface. An industrialized remote control with joystick provides manual control for situations when autonomy mode is not required, and an available belt-pack remote allows for vessel, systems and payload control within a 1- to 2-kilometer range.

The system frees the operator from the helm to allow manned, technology-assisted control from anywhere onboard the vessel. Alternately, when unmanned operations are required, the vessel and its onboard systems may be monitored and controlled via network connections from a shoreside station or second vessel. Local situational awareness is provided to the remote operator via streaming video, ENC localization, radar, AIS and live environmental and deck machinery condition feeds. The vessel may also be operated autonomously in a traditional (manned) mode.

Advanced mission planning and situational awareness capabilities round out the autonomous package. Routine software updates allow for system enhancements as additional refinements are made. 

The advanced Sea Machines technology suite has been integrated into a highly versatile, military-proven hull form. Nearly 400 Metal Shark 29 Defiant vessels are in service worldwide. Powered by twin outboard engines, the vessel achieves top speeds in excess of 45 knots. Like all Metal Shark offerings, the Sharktech 29 Defiant may be customized to suit unique mission requirements. However, to reduce lead times, a standardized configuration has been developed for the stock boats program.

“While many people still think of autonomous technology in future terms, it has already arrived,” said Allard. “Together with Sea Machines we’re bringing autonomy to market in a ready form that operators can buy today and run tomorrow.” 

About Sea Machines
Sea Machines is the leader in pioneering autonomous control and advanced perception systems for the marine industry. Based in Boston, with a branch in Hamburg, and founded in 2015, the company builds autonomous vessel software and systems, which increases the safety, productivity and performance of ships, workboats and commercial vessels. Learn more about Sea Machines at www.sea-machines.com.  

About Metal Shark
Metal Shark is a diversified shipbuilder specializing in the design and construction of welded aluminum and steel vessels from 16’ to over 300’ for defense, law enforcement, and commercial operators. Key customers include the United States Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, Army, foreign militaries, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, passenger vessel operators, pilot associations, towboat operators, and other clients worldwide. With three fully self-contained shipbuilding facilities in Alabama and Louisiana USA plus a dedicated engineering facility in Croatia, Metal Shark’s 500+ employees produce over 200 vessels per year with a proud and proven track record of high quality, on time deliveries. 

# # #

The post Sea Machines and Metal Shark Launch New Sharktech Autonomous Vessel and Announce Immediate Availability appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

The RTCM Assembly and Conference was held in conjunction with the larger 2019 National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA)/RTCM Conference & Expo, at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth, Virginia, also happening this week.

The post Sea Machines Discusses “Precision Navigation and Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships” at RTCM Event appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

From a shoreside location at Portland Yacht Services, a Sea Machines operator commanded the SM300-equipped skimmer boat to perform the following capabilities:

• Remote autonomous control from an onshore location or secondary vessel,
• ENC-based mission planning,
• Autonomous waypoint tracking,
• Autonomous grid line tracking,
• Collaborative autonomy for multi-vessel operations, and
• Wireless remote payload control to deploy on-board boom, skimmer belt and other response equipment.

Additionally, Sea Machines discussed how to operate the skimmer in an unmanned autonomous mode, which enables operators to respond to spill events 24/7 depending on recovery conditions, even when crews are restricted. These configurations also reduce or eliminate exposure of crewmembers to challenging sea and weather, toxic fumes and other safety hazards.

“Our operation of the world’s first autonomous, remote-commanded spill-response vessel is yet another significant industry first for Sea Machines,” said Michael G. Johnson, founder and CEO, Sea Machines (shown speaking, above). “But even more important is the fact that we’ve proven that our technology can be applied to the marine spill response industry – as well as other marine sectors – to protect the health and lives of mariners responding to spills. We are proud to support MSRC’s mission of response preparedness and to work alongside MARAD for these important demonstrations.”

“MSRC is excited to work with Sea Machines on this new technology. The safety of our personnel is the most important consideration in any response. Autonomous technology enhances safe operations,” said John Swift, vice president, MSRC.

“This is the future of the maritime industry. It’s safer, it’s faster, it’s more cost-effective,” said Richard Balzano, deputy administrator, MARAD (shown operating the Sea Machines remote control, above). “This technology is here and it will make you a believer. We are here because we want to help the maritime industry evolve. It’s about safety, the environment and reducing risk on the water.”

Sea Machines’ SM Series of products, which includes the SM300 and SM200, provides marine operators a new era of task-driven, computer-guided vessel control, bringing advanced autonomy within reach for small- and large-scale operations. SM products can be installed aboard existing or new-build commercial vessels with return on investment typically seen within a year. Sea Machines is also a leading developer of advanced perception and navigation assistance technology for a range of vessel types, including container ships. The company is currently testing its perception and situational awareness technology aboard one of A.P. Moller-Maersk’s new-build ice-class container ships.

In August 2018, Sea Machines demonstrated the capabilities of its SM300 product aboard the world’s first autonomous-command, remote-controlled fireboat, owned by TUCO Marine, during the Maritime Kulturdage event, in Korsør, Denmark.

About Sea Machines
Headquartered in the global tech hub of Boston with a branch office in Hamburg, Sea Machines is the leader in pioneering autonomous control and advanced perception systems for the maritime industry. Founded in 2015, the company builds autonomous vessel software and systems, which increases the safety, efficiency and performance of ships, workboats and commercial vessels. Learn more about Sea Machines at www.sea-machines.com.

About the DOT Maritime Administration
The United States Maritime Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Transportation. Its programs promote the use of waterborne transportation and its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation system, and the viability of the U.S. merchant marine. The Maritime Administration works in many areas involving ships and shipping, shipbuilding, port operations, vessel operations, national security, environment, and safety.

About the Marine Spill Response Corporation
The Marine Spill Response Corporation is a not-for-profit, U.S. Coast Guard-classified Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO). MSRC was formed in conjunction with the Marine Preservation Association (MPA) in 1990 to offer oil spill response services and mitigate damage to the environment. With over 25 years of experience, MSRC offers a full range of oil spill response capabilities intended to help meet the planning criteria of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90).

# # #

The post Sea Machines Successfully Deploys Industry’s First Autonomous Spill-Response Vessel, Fulfills Agreement with MARAD appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.

AQUACULTURE WORKBOATS NET BIG GAINS WITH MARINE AUTONOMY

In this “Aquaculture Workboats Net Big Gains with Marine Autonomy” article, learn how Sea Machines products enable commercial fish farming vessels to do more with less, at reduced risk and cost. Read it to learn about the use cases for our SM200 and SM300 systems in aquaculture applications, the benefits of incorporating modern BlueTech aboard fleets, and more.

The post Connect with Sea Machines at Aqua Nor This Week appeared first on Sea Machines Robotics.