Unmanned U.S.V. for scientific research

The USV is a highly reliable multi purpose vessel that has been successfully integrated into the Promarine fleet. Based on a hull-shaped design and proven in the field, it is engineered for highly demanding operations in any conditions. Consequently, it delivers high performance and navigation accuracy, making it compatible with manned, remotely controlled, and fully autonomous coastal and open sea maritime missions.

50+

Years of experience

Promarine Innovations

Versatile

Its missions include oil and gas exploration and processing, oceanographic data collection, hydrographic, oceanographic, and environmental surveys. Furthermore, L3 ASV provides a wide range of technical services related to autonomous marine vehicles throughout the entire process from concept design and production to training. It is worth noting that our company has a full complement of experienced personnel, as well as partnerships with leading universities and USV manufacturing facilities.

Some of the USV’s unique and positive features include its high durability and stability on the water surface, even when operating under extreme weather conditions.

These capabilities remain effective even during remotely controlled vessel management. The design approach ensures safety and high efficiency without the use of magnetic means. In terms of towing, the USV offers reliable and effective solutions. Additionally, the vessel’s foam compartments make it unsinkable, enhancing its resilience in the event of mine explosions or other maritime hazards. Therefore, it stands as one of the most reliable vessels in our company’s fleet.

Promarine Innovations

Innovation

A distinctive tool for unmanned scientific research introduced by Promarine Innovations in Greece is the C-Stat mobile buoy system. The C-Stat is a small “boat” that provides a new capability for reliable deployment and long-term station-keeping of sensors at sea without the need for a stationary ship or seabed anchoring.

This buoy features an autonomous control system with advanced algorithms for position maintenance despite sea swell. The C-Stat is powered by a hybrid system and can operate for up to 5 days at a maximum speed of 3.7 knots. It is ideal for detecting elements, enabling communication between surface and underwater environments, and for data collection.

Promarine Innovations

Sea State 5

Durable, Stable, and Functional: The Sea State 5 Standard

At this point, we must highlight some key characteristics of the USV that led our company to incorporate it into our strong operational capacity. It is equipped with the “Sea Proven” anti-roll system, which reduces rolling by 40%. Thanks to this mechanism, the USV remains operational even under harsh weather conditions (Sea State 5), ensuring the launch and recovery of unmanned aerial vehicles up to Sea State 4.

Regarding design, the monolithic composite structure of the vessel is highly durable and has been certified as seaworthy under all weather conditions by Bureau Veritas. The USV’s design also accounts for the constraints and interactions involved in its integration onto the mothership of the Belgian-Dutch consortium, which was designed for the storage, maintenance, launch, recovery, and operation of two USVs under extreme weather conditions (Sea State 5).

Moreover, the fully integrated and computer-controlled propulsion system is designed for unmanned hydrographic and high-range seabed mapping missions. The system allows up to six days of station-keeping, research-speed travel, and up to 10 hours between automatic battery recharges via the vessel’s integrated generator. The recharge cycles are fully automated under computer control.

“Potential requirements from the USV were very specific,” stated Michalis Spanopoulos, CEO and founder of Promarine Innovations, in a relevant statement. “The vessel demanded extended endurance on station as well as silent operation during acoustic survey tasks.”

The USV can operate remotely under control from an operator onshore or semi-autonomously to execute any mission plan. Furthermore, it should be understood that all onboard systems are monitored and connected via data links to the remote base station. Consequently, the operator can control all interfaces, stream video, or activate the autopilot system by selecting waypoints, during which throttle and steering are fully computer-controlled. The vessel’s piloting station can optionally be crewed for operation in busy waterways and ramp work when required.