Cypriot technology firm secures USV for new projects in Eastern Mediterranean
HydroSurv, a leading provider of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), has announced the sale of an advanced REAV-28 package to Engitec Systems International (ESI), marking the company’s first sale in the Eastern Mediterranean region. ESI, a Cyprus-based specialist in marine and offshore engineering solutions, will deploy the vessel for environmental monitoring and research applications.
The zero-emission, battery-electric REAV-28 will initially be deployed to support the REDRESS project, which focuses on ecosystem restoration and environmental monitoring in both coastal and offshore waters. This versatile platform will feature an advanced sensor array designed to monitor key water quality parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity.
David Hull, founder & CEO of HydroSurv, commented: “ESI’s selection of the REAV-28 further validates the platform’s versatility and utility for uncrewed environmental monitoring. It’s a delight to be working with ESI’s expert team, who have established an impressive track record in EU research projects, and we’re looking forward to watching their progress following delivery of ‘ERV 1’ in January 2025.”
ESI plans a series of enhancements to the platform’s mission planning capabilities through custom software development and the integration of advanced autonomous navigation features. The company views this vessel acquisition as the first step towards building a specialist fleet of autonomous vessels for scientific research and industrial applications.
Value-delivering autonomous platforms
Elias Chatzidouros, technical director of ESI, highlighted the significance of acquiring the REAV-28, describing it as a major step forward in the organization’s mission to leverage cutting-edge technologies for environmental monitoring in the Eastern Mediterranean. He emphasized that the versatile USV would enhance ESI’s capacity to collect high-resolution data, aiding ecosystem restoration and climate resilience projects such as REDRESS.
Chatzidouros further noted: “This acquisition aligns perfectly with our broader strategy to build a fleet of autonomous platforms that deliver value across research, conservation and industrial applications.” He expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with HydroSurv, whose expertise would help maximize the platform’s potential.
To ensure ESI can fully leverage the USV’s advanced capabilities across its diverse commercial applications, HydroSurv will provide a comprehensive training and support package as part of the system handover scheduled for January. This sale marks another milestone in HydroSurv’s commitment to delivering accessible uncrewed vessel technology that reduces the environmental footprint of ocean data collection.
