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The innovative marine data acquisition provider and USV manufacturer, Uncrewed Survey Solutions (USS) has received MCA acknowledgement against MGN 705 general exemption for ROUV safe operations, enabling the business to now conduct its specialist hydrographic surveying work within UK waters.
A builder and operator of its own fleet of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), USS delivers customised marine data collection projects and missions primarily across the hydrographic and geophysical domains.
Having successfully operated internationally, the UK-headquartered business has received official acknowledgement that USS’ own Accession Class USV can be operated to support customers in UK waters, due to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) releasing MGN 705 specifically for Mini-MASS craft from 2.5 to <4.5 metres in length.
USS’ CEO, James Williams is an advocate of driving the industry in its safer operations, both in the UK and on a global basis. Williams is an active member of numerous working groups including the Surface Autonomy Subgroup for the FAST (Future Autonomous At Sea Technologies) Cluster, and also champions engagement with the DfT and MCA regarding matters affecting Mini-MASS.
James Williams comments, “As a pioneering business, we are delighted that USS is at the forefront of supporting the UK as a leader in upholding ROUV safe operations. The MCA’s new general exemption regulations enable smaller uncrewed vessels to be remotely operated in UK waters, in line and hand-in-hand with other stringent regulations including SOLAS and COLREGS’’.
He continues, “Being one of the first to embrace the new Marine Guidance Note mirrors USS’ ethos in focusing on greener, safer, and efficient seagoing operations, together with helping to drive MASS industry innovation, and also supporting the success of UK PLC.”
The UK is regarded as a global leader in safe ROUV operations, as demonstrated by the MCA’s Marine Guidance Notice MGN 705 setting a pathway for hi-tech small ROUVs operating in UK waters.
ROUVs between 2.5 metres and under 4.5 metres in length overall may comply with the General Exemption set out in MGN 705 permitting eligible vessels to operate without certification issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency or its delegates. Vessels subject to this General Exemption are expected to be under the constant supervision of a human operator, with the means to take control at any time.
Operating under the General Exemption allows USS to further assist its customers in their transition from traditional crewed surveying operations to the utilisation of smaller, uncrewed craft delivering turnkey 24/7 hydrographic surveying and marine data acquisition solutions for both Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) over-the-horizon projects.
Visit www.uncrewedsurveysolutions.com to find out more.