Unlocking the potential of mini-MASS in UK waters

Our groundbreaking initiative seeks to revolutionise the smaller Marine Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) ('mini-MASS') market, addressing a crucial obstacle hindering the widespread adoption of Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) in UK waters and their significant benefits: regulatory and certification challenges. These challenges are not only stifling growth and innovation in the Southwest but also impacts companies such as Unmanned Survey Solutions (USS) and members of the Future at Sea Technologies (FAST) Cluster.

The recently updated Workboat Code Edition 3 (WBC3) by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) marks a significant step forward, specifically incorporating provisions for Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels (ROUVs). However, WBC3 predominantly caters to the larger, higher-risk sector within the under-24m market, overlooking the characteristics and lower risk associated with 'mini-MASS.' Consequently, the requirements set by WBC3 pose challenges that are neither suitable nor feasible for these smaller vessels, creating a formidable barrier to innovation.

This Innovative project aims to provide a comprehensive open-source report and templates. We will meticulously analyse WBC3 requirements, identifying those that are:

* Valid in the context of demonstrating safety for mini-MASS.
* Partially valid.
* Not valid for mini-MASS safety demonstrations.

For requirements falling into the second or third category, we will present generic template safety argument patterns. These patterns will justify that mini-MASS can achieve proportionate levels of safety levels, using the USS Accession Class USV as an illustrative example.

Whilst this looks at certification and regulatory aspects, for the project's success there is no dependency on any approvals from the MCA for testing in an operational marine environment.

The resultant report will be a valuable asset for the maritime community in the Southwest, offering designers and operators of mini-MASS practical best-practice templates. Accompanied by user-friendly guides, these templates can be customised for specific projects, alleviating the certification burden while bolstering safety standards at sea. The project's key outcomes include:

* Minimising the certification burden for Southwest businesses, enabling them to concentrate on innovation in the marine and maritime cluster.
* Catalysing business growth through streamlined application processes.
* Enhancing safety at sea through the dissemination of well-structured, peer-reviewed, and consistent best-practice templates.
* Unlocking a potential route through to establishing confidence in fully autonomous marine systems by facilitating certification of small, inherently low risk vessels;

* Contributing to emissions reduction by enabling the use of smaller vessels with no or reduced emissions.
* Builds foundation for the development and publishing of safety codes that are specific and proportionate for mini-MASS.