I was reminded recently soon after the latest RYA magazine fluttered through the letter box about seeing an autonomous vessel in Harwich Harbour.
The Autumn 2019 RYA magazine carries an article about an autonomous vessel crossing the North Sea this summer. The one in question sailed from West Mersea to Oostende in 22 hours with a ‘cargo’ of oysters. The operation was sponsored by UK’s Maritime & Coast Guard Agency, Department of Transport, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the European Space agency and partners in Europe.
Photo of picture in RYA magazine – courtesy of RYA Magazine.
The vessel’s name is USV Maxlimer and was developed by Sea-Kit International of Tollesbury. The boat was built by Hushcraft Ltd in West Mersea and Tollesbury. Her base is said to be Maldon – amongst the fleet of Thames spritsail barges!
See:
SEA-KIT docks in Belgium to complete first ever international commercial uncrewed transit
It was all carried out with the use of GPS using a Global Situational Awareness system via an internet feed allowing remote access to CCTV cameras and controls. Maybe some of you will have seen her about.
I didn’t!
But, I did see this one in Harwich Harbour. She was being ‘shepherded’ out of the harbour across The Shelf by an escort … as we sailed in. The boat’s name is Intrepid Barracuda. Where she was going I do not know. We didn’t hear anything on Harwich VTS, so assume was doing trials.
I did find this on line though…
https://www.abports.co.uk/media/aypp4aqj/abp-lowestoft-ntm-no-23-2019.pdf
So, there we are. She was on trial!
The Intrepid Barracuda in Harwich Harbour.
I am sure that in the future we will see far more of these types of vessel in our coastal waters. I am sure though that unlike some yachts (in particular) which seem to go about on an auto pilot in congested waters, the ‘real’ thing’s cameras will tell an operator or an interface that you are in its way!
I had an ‘incident’ in late August where a yacht kept on coming up our stern … only veering away as I made a course adjustment to prevent chance of a collision. There was a ‘bloke’ aboard in the cockpit, but he made no acknowledgement … roll on full automation!
As an ex sea going engineer officer who keeps abreast of things, I am aware of shipping developments – the Japanese are to trial an ocean voyage, a ore bulker, I believe to Australia…
Interesting developments.