10112575Designing a Modular Launch and Recovery System for RepairabilityClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKACUA Ocean is a clean maritime startup developing a zero-emission Hydrogen-powered Uncrewed Surface Vessel (H-USV) capable of open ocean transits for up to 40 days and transportation of a 2.5-4 ton payload. From the outset, the H-USV has been designed with modularity and repairability in mind, allowing for rapid repair and re-mobilisation to any site around the world. It is also designed with a utilitarian moonpool with the size to accommodate a 20ft ISO container footprint for an array of task-specific payloads. The aim of this project is to design a proof-of-concept ISO container footprint sized launch and recovery system (LARS) that will be integrated into the H-USV. The ISO-centred design ensures system modularity and increases maintainability, repairability and replaceability of the system. Furthermore, given the harshness of the marine environments that the H-USV will operate in, ACUA's design approach through this project will put great emphasis on the durability and resilience of all electrical and mechanical components, improving system time-to-failure. The steps to success for this project cover: 1. End-customer capability requirements' workshops. 2. System design for the ISO footprint and LARS components. 3. Seakeeping assessment of the H-USV with the ISO system equipped. 4. Development roadmap for the integration of the LARS into the H-USV. 5. Strategic business plan surrounding potential applications. Current state-of-the-art LARS either require significant crew resources or aren't designed to support the deployment of a variety of payload systems. The system that ACUA will design through this project will greatly enhance the H-USV's flexible payload capabilities, ensuring maximum vessel utilisation for ACUA's end-customers across offshore infrastructure, marine protection and defence. The H-USV itself has been developed to align with the UK Government's ambitious agenda for maritime decarbonisation and autonomy set out in the Technology and Innovation in UK Maritime (TIUK) Route-Map as part of the Maritime 2050 Vision. ACUA is demonstrating the H-USV's seafaring capabilities (without the iso footprint payload) through round three of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC3), whereby the vessel will be remotely operated to make a series of crossings between the Port of Aberdeen and the Orkney and Shetland Islands in late 2024\. This project aims to build on the CMDC3 demonstration by designing the novel LARS technology that will allow the H-USV to achieve its full commercial potential and service the UK growing offshore energy sector.