World’s largest unmanned surface vehicle gets approval for deep-sea missions
The world’s largest unmanned surface vehicle capable of operating independently across all oceans has been awarded class certification by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
The Saildrone Surveyor, a fully autonomous 65-foot-long (20-meter-long) unmanned surface vehicle (USV) designed for deep-sea missions officially received ABS class certification on August 27.
The Surveyor is reportedly the largest class of USVs from Saildrone, a California-based defense company specializing in unmanned maritime systems, ocean mapping, and meteorological and oceanographic data using unmanned autonomous assets.
It reportedly delivers maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions to military, homeland security, and commercial clients, and sets new standards for cost-effective operations in some of the world’s most challenging marine environments.
“ABS and Saildrone are pioneering new frontiers, setting the pace for innovation,” Patrick Ryan, ABS senior vice president and chief technology officer, elaborated, emphasizing the importance of the approval.
An advanced survey vessel
According to Ryan, the pioneering vessel, capable of operating without a single person onboard and monitored around the clock, is engineered for extended missions in open-ocean environments.
He explained that the certification represents a significant step forward for both ABS and the broader maritime industry. He noted that it is the result of years of targeted investment in ABS’ technical capabilities, aimed at adapting and evolving its classification standards to keep pace with emerging technologies.
“The ABS class certification is more than a certificate – it’s a signal to governments and the maritime industry that Saildrone USVs are mature, safe, tested, and ready for scale,” Richard Jenkins, Saildrone founder and CEO, continued.
The certification process ensures that the Surveyor meets strict international safety and design standards. For ABS, which is one of the world’s oldest and most influential classification societies, it reflects its growing involvement in shaping the future of autonomous maritime operations.
Innovation meets safety
The Surveyor is not Saildrone’s first autonomous vessel to receive their classification. In 2023, the 32-feet-long (10-meter-long) Voyager, a smaller model optimized for coastal surveillance, was also awarded ABS class.
However, according to ABS, the Surveyor, with its long-endurance range and deep-sea capabilities greatly expands the operational potential of unmanned surface vehicles in harsh and remote marine conditions.
“It’s been a very large investment and a multi-year process to achieve ABS Class Certification, but we are proud to be the first company in the world to do so and proud that our systems have reached the highest standards as required by the ABS Class certificate,” Jenkins concluded in a press release.
ABS officials pointed out that classifying autonomous vessels like the Saildrone Surveyor is crucial, especially as the global maritime industry accelerates its shift toward digitalization, sustainability, and automation.
“Saildrone USVs are capable of fully autonomous operations with no human onboard and are remotely monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by the company’s global Mission Management team,” the bureau stated.
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.
Source: Interesting Engineering
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World’s largest unmanned surface vehicle gets approval for deep-sea missions