The maritime industry is witnessing a paradigm shift as Nordic USV and HydroSurv bolster their partnership with a groundbreaking 60-month lease agreement for the newly launched HydroSurv’s REAV-47 uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). This development comes on the heels of a successful first year with the REAV-28 USV Nordy, which has been actively deployed for over 100 oceanographic monitoring missions from Bergen. The trajectory of this collaboration highlights a growing trend towards harnessing uncrewed technology for environmental monitoring, and it sets a new standard for the capabilities of USVs in harsh marine environments.
The REAV-47, dubbed USV Bris, is not just another vessel; it embodies a significant leap forward in HydroSurv’s REAV platform evolution. Its hybrid powertrain, which marries a 12kW Mastervolt battery module with a 4kW Fischer Panda generator, offers an impressive 72-hour coastal endurance. This means that the REAV-47 can sustain prolonged missions without the constant need for refueling, a game-changer for operations in remote areas. The vessel’s design reflects an acute awareness of the operational challenges faced in Norway’s fjords, a region notorious for its unpredictable weather and treacherous waters.
In a notable first for HydroSurv, the REAV-47 is equipped with Rim Drive Technologies’ 5kW electric outboards. This innovation provides instant, stepless acceleration while significantly reducing the risk of entanglement with marine life—a pressing concern in environmental monitoring. As the industry shifts towards more sustainable practices, such features are not just advantageous; they are essential.
Nordic USV plans to deploy the REAV-47 primarily for CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) profiling operations. The upgraded OSIL profiling winch, capable of reaching depths of up to 1,500 meters, positions USV Bris to achieve the deepest profiling capabilities by a USV globally. This milestone not only showcases the technological advancements in autonomous vessels but also raises the bar for data collection in marine environments.
“The REAV-47 represents a quantum leap in remote vessel capability. From our Bergen Operations Centre, the REAV-47 will conduct missions up to 1,000 kilometres away, gathering crucial environmental data even in adverse conditions. This unprecedented reach transforms how we monitor coastal ecosystems,” said Sander Henriksen, CEO of Nordic USV. His words encapsulate the essence of this partnership: the drive to innovate and adapt in a sector that is increasingly reliant on data-driven insights.
As we look to the future, this agreement between Nordic USV and HydroSurv may well serve as a catalyst for further advancements in uncrewed technology. The maritime sector is at a crossroads, where traditional practices meet innovative solutions designed to address pressing environmental challenges. The implications of this partnership extend beyond the vessels themselves; they signal a shift in how we approach oceanographic research and environmental stewardship.
With the REAV-47 leading the charge, the maritime industry is not just keeping pace with technological evolution; it is redefining the very boundaries of what is possible in marine exploration and monitoring. The ripple effects of this partnership will likely influence future developments, driving further investment in autonomous systems and sustainable practices that prioritize the health of our oceans.
