Compass Survey, a hydrographic survey company operating out of Port Harcourt in Nigeria, has taken delivery of a new unmanned surface vehicle (USV) from Hong Kong-based maritime robotics specialist OceanAlpha.
The USV can be equipped with various sensors including single-beam and multi-beam echosounders, sub-bottom profilers, a towed magnetometer, and a towed side-scan sonar.
The hybrid propulsion system will meanwhile enable the craft to sail up to 1,500 kilometres, or stay out at sea for up to eight days at four knots, significantly reducing the need for frequent vessel retrieval during large-scale surveys.
Enhanced stability from four redundant electric motors will enable deployment under a range of conditions in coastal waters as well as open-ocean environments.
The USV's onboard wet-end payload lifters and towing system will permit quick configuration changes between hydrographic mapping, pipeline inspections, and scientific research missions.
OceanAlpha also provided hands-on training for Compass Survey personnel in the operation of the USV.