Autonomous Surface / Sub-surface Survey System

This programme combines unmanned surface vessels (USVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and novel communications technology into an integrated system to provide a means of conducting low cost shore based full water column marine surveys. Success will accelerate the wider adoption of unmanned systems and will enable long term, low-cost survey and monitoring operations for offshore energy applications, deep sea mining prospecting and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) monitoring. There will also be a consequential reduction in the need to place humans in dangerous environments and a greater acceptability of unmanned systems by operators and regulators.