DEME takes delivery of two new USVs from Norwegian builder

The DEME Group has taken delivery of two new unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) built by Norwegian unmanned systems specialist Maritime Robotics.

The USVs include a two-metre long craft and a six-metre long vehicle.

The smaller USV is a fully electric catamaran specifically designed for efficient and precise data acquisition in sheltered, coastal, and shallow areas. The six-metee USV meanwhile boasts a larger payload capacity and extended operational endurance, making it suitable for more demanding offshore missions.

The two-metre USV can be controlled via a graphical user interface in the form of either Maritime Robotics' proprietary vehicle control station (VCS) or a mobile device app. The app provides manual joystick-like control, while the VCS has several control modes, such as course and speed control, heading control, or waypoint control.

For waypoint control, the operator can easily plan missions consisting of individual waypoints, or use templates for creating common patterns such as lawnmower surveys. Live monitoring of sensor data quality parameters and visualisation of actual data are provided in the VCS, and sensor parameters can also be adjusted.

The six-metre USV is designed to be remotely monitored and controlled from a shore centre, thus eliminating the need for additional personnel at work sites.

The shore centre can be fitted with electronic charts as well as displays showing engine and navigation info. The operator can monitor the surrounding sea areas and get collision avoidance warnings based on AIS, radar, and video information.