First Oceanus12 USV hits the water
Zero USV, a UK-based USV developer, has reported that its Oceanus12 uncrewed surface vehicle has touched the water for the first time at Manor Marine in Portland, on England’s south coast. The fully equipped vessel is now set for commissioning and integration trials from Zero USV’s home port of Plymouth.
The launch of the first Oceanus12 marks the culmination of nearly 18 months of design, engineering and construction by the Zero USV team. The project builds on the success of the Mayflower Autonomous Ship 400’s transatlantic voyage, made possible through the same intercompany collaborations between Zero USV’s parent company, MSubs, the non-profit ProMare and sister marine software company Marine AI.
Zero USV plans to develop an entire fleet of Oceanus12 vessels – more than 12 in total – designed for a charter-based business model. The second vessel is set for completion in late March, with the third and fourth following closely behind. An official boat naming ceremony is scheduled for the spring.
Turnkey package for charter customers
The Oceanus12 incorporates several advanced technologies, including a hybrid-electric drive system with twin drives for redundancy and efficiency and sufficient onboard fuel for a cruising range of over 2,500 nautical miles. It also features Marine AI’s Guardian software, which provides a fully autonomous control system. With Zero USV not only owning and operating the vessels but also the ROC (remote operations centre), the Oceanus12 is a true ‘turnkey’ package for charter customers.
Zero USV founder Matthew Ratsey said: “Oceanus12 presents a quantum leap forward in autonomous maritime technology and this is a seminal moment for the team here at Zero USV. We’ve created the world’s first complete solution – not just a cutting-edge 12m over-the-horizon USV available for charter, but also full maintenance and support to ensure 24/7 operations with minimal downtime.”
Utilizing a suite of world-class marine sensors, including the internationally renowned mm-wave Navtech Radar, Oceanus12 integrates multiple data streams into Marine AI’s GuardianAI autonomy software. This enables real-time processing and analysis, ensuring COLREG-compliant vessel control and navigation.
