Five small uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) have launched in the water off the US Virgin Islands to gather data to help further our understanding of hurricane development and activity. The effort is a collaboration between the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Southern Mississippi. The five vessels are called “C-Stars,” and while five are in the water, another two are in storage in Gulfport, Mississippi, ready for deployment as needed. Commenting on the...

Saildrone has announced that the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has granted full classification to the company’s Surveyor class of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). The announcement is another feather in Saildrone’s cap, following on from the 2024 full classification received by the Voyager, the company’s coastal and near-shore USV. Interestingly, while other platforms have received temporary or interim approval, no other USV or UVV has received full classification apart from the Saildr...

A new network of ocean observations has been announced. The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) aims to expand global ocean surface observations through the use of a fleet of uncrewed surface vessels. The new fleet is called the SUN Fleet and will be able to monitor a wide range of ocean variables. This will include measuring the important sea-air exchanges in remote corners of the globe and under harsh conditions. The SUN Fleet is made up of a range of vessels ranging from 2 to 7 meters (6.56...