Giant autonomous sea vessel cleared for deep-sea expeditions
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has granted class certification to the Saildrone Surveyor, a significant milestone for both ABS and the broader maritime industry. This certification signifies that the Saildrone Surveyor, a 65-foot-long unmanned surface vehicle (USV), meets strict international safety and design standards.
Manufactured by Saildrone, a California-based company specializing in maritime autonomous systems, the Saildrone Surveyor is engineered for extended missions in open-ocean environments and can operate without a single person onboard. This expansion of the operational potential of unmanned surface vehicles in harsh and remote marine conditions is a testament to Saildrone's innovative approach to maritime technology.
The Saildrone Surveyor is capable of mapping deep-ocean floors and supporting maritime awareness tasks, making it a valuable asset in the global maritime industry's accelerating shift towards digitalization, sustainability, and autonomy. ABS officials have emphasized the importance of classifying autonomous vessels like the Saildrone Surveyor, as this collaboration is pioneering new frontiers and setting the pace for innovation.
Patrick Ryan, ABS senior vice president and chief technology officer, stated, "The collaboration between ABS and Saildrone is pioneering new frontiers and setting the pace for innovation." Richard Jenkins, Saildrone founder and CEO, added, "The ABS class certification is a signal to governments and the maritime industry that Saildrone USVs are mature, safe, tested, and ready for scale."
The Saildrone Surveyor is the largest class of USVs from Saildrone, a company that delivers maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions to military, homeland security, and commercial clients. The Saildrone Surveyor is remotely monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by the company's global Mission Management team.
This certification marks a significant step forward for ABS, as it reflects their growing involvement in shaping the future of autonomous maritime operations. ABS has been collaborating with shipbuilders, governments, and stakeholders to advance remote-control and AI-driven operations at sea, by developing standards that keep pace with fast-moving innovation.
The Saildrone Surveyor, following the 2023 certification of the 32-feet-long Voyager, is the second autonomous vessel from Saildrone to receive ABS class certification. This achievement sets new standards for cost-effective operations in some of the world's most challenging marine environments.
In conclusion, the ABS class certification of the Saildrone Surveyor is a testament to the advancements in autonomous maritime technology and Saildrone's commitment to safety, innovation, and operational excellence. As the maritime industry continues to evolve, it's clear that autonomous vessels like the Saildrone Surveyor will play an increasingly important role.
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