How SEA-KIT's Uncrewed Surface Vehicles interact operationally in international marine traffic

Successful demonstration of how USVs interact operationally with real marine traffic in a busy shipping zone, crossing from the United Kingdom to Belgium and back carrying cargo and with no crew.

LOCATION

North Sea transit from West Mersea, UK to Oostende, Belgium, exposing USV 'Maxlimer' to the most demanding navigational conditions in European waters, including crossing the Strait of Dover; the busiest international seaway in the world.

Image 1: Marine traffic route from the United Kingdom to Belgium

PAYLOAD

Delivering a 5kg box of Essex oysters to Oostende and returning with a case of Belgian beer.

KEY STATS

• 22 hour transit in busy shipping lane
• 5% fuel consumption compared to crewed vessels
• 2.5 Only 0.2% of 2.5 tonne payload capacity used
• 1 shipping container needed to deploy USV globally

Image 2: Following the SEA-KIT USV remotely

RESULTS

• Accurate remote navigation via GPS & satellite communications
• Compliance with COLREGs & relevant maritime law
• Precise collision avoidance capability in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes
• Reliable remote control with Global Situational Awareness via Internet (G-SAVI) cloud-based communications technologies
• Proven robustness & versatility of USV design for a range of tasks
• Safe coexistence of crewed & uncrewed vessels at sea