US boat maker SAFE Boats International has unveiled an advanced Jones Act-compliant autonomous hydrographic survey vessel fit for work in the offshore wind sector.
The company has exclusive rights to build the design at their large-craft production facility in Tacoma, Washington. The 23-m-long vessel was developed in collaboration with maritime autonomy provider Mythos AI, hydrographic systems provider Echo81, and naval architects World Marine Design.
The vessel, dubbed Merlin, sports an all-aluminum hull and will be powered by a twin Volvo Penta D13 hybrid-ready system with options for hydrogen technology for a zero-emission power package. According to SAFE Boats, both power options offer lower emissions and extended range for carrying out offshore wind site surveys.
The Merlin is said to be the industry’s first geophysical vessel with a fully integrated sensor suite configured specifically for US offshore wind that can be purchased directly from the builder. With a shallow draft of 1.6 m the vessel can perform various survey missions and make port in small or large harbors across the US, the boatbuilder noted.
Mythos AI’s autonomous technology was created specifically for geophysical workflows, eliminating the need for hydrographers and crew to be physically present onboard the vessel. “As Mythos AI’s technology advances, it will be capable of providing a push-button, long endurance, dock-to-dock, self-driving and self-surveying solution for offshore wind,” Safe Boats said.
