The Gondan shipyard in Figueras, Spain has launched its first unmanned vessel, an advanced uncrewed surface vessel (USV) for Norwegian joint venture USV, comprising offshore companies DeepOcean, Solstad and Østensjø Rederi.
The vessel, designed by Salt Ship Design to carry out underwater maintenance and inspection missions, is 24m long and 7.5m wide, and is equipped with a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system with 500kWh batteries. The vessel has a system of sensors, cameras and antennas on board that will allow it to carry out underwater inspection work such as the launch and recovery of underwater vehicles capable of diving to a depth of 2000m in a completely remote way. Norwegian company Remota, which specialises in remote operations and semi-autonomous maritime services for the offshore and marine industries, will provide the onshore remote operations centre, from where the operation of the vessel and the submarines it deploys will be controlled.
This new USV is considered to represent a significant technological advance that will enhance operational capabilities in maintenance and inspection work, offering high-performance solutions for missions in the marine environment and a reduction in CO2 emissions of more than 90% compared to other conventional vessels.
Image: Gondan has launched a hybrid USV (source: Astilleros Gondan)
