The ‘Decarbonising operations with the use of USV technology’ session at SeaworkConnect today covered a number of facets of the burgeoning USV sector.

Ports are complex environments and port operators need to give ship operators the confidence that depths in ports are reported accurately. Using USV technology gives access to more difficult areas. James Cowles of Peel Ports Group shared that the Fitzroy unmanned surface vessel in operation at Peel Ports sites runs at 5 knots and on average reduces emissions by 85% compared with a manned survey vessel.

Autonaut’s Harry Spedding spelled out the benefits of their USV in collating met ocean data for multiple end users in the scientific and academic arenas; sharing the data reduces the numbers of manned vessels used to historically collect the equivalent data. The Autonaut USV is solar and wind powered achieving green propulsion.

Ocean Infinity covered combining robotics with digitisation and green propulsion, developing new technologies and delivering at scale. Optimisation of the Armada fleet - 21, 36 and 78m vessels, was a major factor with  the design of these autonomous ships built around the specific task of the vessel. Dan Hook, MD Ocean Infinity, said, "To make a real difference in kilograms of CO2 saved globally, we need these technologies to be rolled out at scale".

The panel discussion covered skill sets required for operating USV's and how the industry is growing bringing with it the need to bring new operators in. Historically, professional commercial operators with experience of being qualified masters at sea have been preferred, however there is a move towards introducing a hybrid element, albeit within the regulatory guidelines, of new non-mariners to the skill sets needed to operate these vessels.

If you missed ‘Decarbonising operations with the use of USV technology’ today, on the second of three days of Seawork Connect, or you would like to repeat view, the session will be available imminently at SeaworkConnect “On Demand” for the next fourteen days.