Saildrone Surveyor maps 4,500 km of seabed, marking a serious shift in ocean survey capabilities
In a landmark achievement for maritime expertise, Saildrone and Meta have efficiently accomplished a first-of-its-kind deep-water cable route survey utilizing an uncrewed floor automobile (USV). The 26-day mission occurred within the North Atlantic throughout June and July 2024, utilizing the 20-meter Saildrone Surveyor.
This milestone proves that uncrewed techniques can match conventional crewed survey vessels in knowledge high quality and efficiency—whereas vastly lowering environmental impression and operational threat.
Mapping the Seafloor with Autonomy
The Saildrone Surveyor mapped over 4,500 kilometers of seabed with out requiring a port name or exterior help. It operated in each sail and motor-sail modes and was outfitted with a Kongsberg EM304 MKII multibeam sonar system. The automobile achieved swath protection of as much as 10 kilometers in water depths as deep as 5,500 meters.
The mission centered on mapping bathymetric knowledge alongside two subsea cable routes—Anjana and Aurora. This allowed direct comparability between the Surveyor’s efficiency and that of standard survey ships. Based on the challenge crew, the Surveyor exceeded expectations in key efficiency areas, together with route constancy, line protecting, knowledge transmission, and depth accuracy.
“This mission demonstrated that autonomous ocean mapping isn’t just potential—it’s right here, and it’s extremely efficient,” stated Andy Palmer-Felgate, subsea cable engineer at Meta. “Saildrone delivered knowledge that matched legacy surveys with distinctive accuracy, all whereas working remotely and with minimal environmental impression.”
New Requirements in Distant Operations
The crew used the Saildrone Mission Portal and real-time satellite tv for pc communications to trace the USV’s efficiency. Operators might re-task the automobile mid-mission to research seafloor options similar to canyons and seamounts. This versatile method was beforehand solely potential with crewed vessels and opens new prospects for responsive survey missions.
Along with enhancing efficiency, the mission considerably lowered Well being, Security, and Environmental (HSE) dangers. Surveyors and engineers might work remotely from house or workplace, lowering the necessity for lengthy deployments and time away from households.
The mission additionally prevented an estimated 243 tons of CO₂ emissions—greater than 50 occasions lower than emissions from a regular crewed survey vessel.
Wanting Forward: A Shift in Ocean Survey Technique
“It is a turning level for deep-ocean survey,” stated Brian Connon, VP Ocean Mapping at Saildrone. “The Surveyor’s efficiency on this mission proves that we will ship high-resolution, deep-water bathymetry with a fraction of the gasoline, price, and threat.”
Saildrone plans to develop its fleet of Surveyor USVs to help a variety of industries. These embrace subsea telecom, offshore power, and nationwide hydrography packages. Future enhancements will deal with longer mission vary, climate resilience, and integration of applied sciences like AI navigation and expendable bathythermographs.
About Saildrone
Saildrone is a U.S.-based protection firm that gives maritime intelligence and uncrewed ocean survey options. Its USVs are outfitted with superior sensors and proprietary AI to ship real-time insights above and under the ocean floor. With over 2 million nautical miles sailed, Saildrone techniques are utilized by governments and business purchasers all over the world for border safety, hydrography, undersea infrastructure safety, and extra.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, knowledgeable drone providers market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory surroundings for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles centered on the business drone area and is a world speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, Electronic mail Miriam.
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