USVs - the right technologies to support the right applications
October 23, 2025By Seawork Press FP
USVs
Damen Shipyards
Workboat Association
Get set for Workboat 2050
Maritime Journal
The USV Group
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Simon Adams, Founder & Director of The USV Group, will be speaking at the next session of Get Set for Workboat 2050 on Monday 18 November.
Simon brings a wealth of hands-on maritime expertise to the forefront of uncrewed surface vessel (USV) innovation. Simon served as a master on board workboats, including tugs and barges, before transitioning to research vessels for companies such as MMT and Fugro. This real-world experience underpins a USV adoption ethos rooted in practicality and operability.
Simon says, "I will be sharing real-world insights through a USV project case study. We will examine the project requirements, the application of the USV, and the workforce that supported it. We will further explore the human element, its role in the future of the work boat industry and, how it is achieved"
With global operational experience spanning the US, UK, Europe, and Asia, Simon has cultivated robust practices for tackling integration challenges from requisition to regulation. Now he shares his knowledge with the wider industry to help encourage uptake of the right technologies to support the right applications.
Get Set for Workboat 2050 - Session 1 of Series 6, is held in partnership with Seawork, Maritime Journal and the Workboat Association. The topical and informative “in-person” session will: • Examine the classification of maritime autonomy — remote-operated, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous — and how emerging IMO frameworks are shaping their deployment. • Assess the operational and workforce implications of autonomy, including task automation, system supervision, and the integration of advanced control software. • Analyse the drivers behind the transition to autonomous and remote-operated workboats and explore strategies for scalable implementation across fleet operations.
Get Set for Workboat 2050 Series 6, sponsored by Damen, will take place on the afternoon of Monday 18 November at the Workboat Association AGM, Oulton Hall, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England UK
‘Autonomous and Remote-Operated Vessels: Operational Scaling and Regulatory Alignment’ is free-to-attend, but delegates should note that other events at Oulton Hall are for the Workboat Association members only. Book your space here
