Russia's Pskov Boat Shipyard has tested an unmanned cargo boat on Lake Pskov, with a representative of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (KM) attending as an expert observer.
According to KM, its representative assessed the stability of remote control, the execution of a route in automatic mode and the vessel's operating characteristics against contemporary safety requirements.
The boat has a length of eight metres, a beam of two metres (2.5 metres including buoyancy sponsons), and a maximum cargo capacity of 1,500 kg. Propulsion is provided by a 115hp (86kW) petrol outboard.
Onboard equipment includes a GNSS receiver and display, a heading sensor, radar, video cameras, a weather sensor, a communications module, an AIS transponder, and an autopilot capable of maintaining a prescribed track.
"The robotic cargo boat will soon begin delivering construction materials, food, fuel and other goods to remote settlements on the Irtysh and Ob Rivers, with no people aboard; this is a completely uncrewed boat," said Pskov Boat Shipyard founder Vladimir Chulkov.