ACUA Ocean Launches Pioneer USV
deploying sensor and system payloads.Following the successful launch, the USV Pioneer now enters a three-month period of sea trials and crucial regulatory checks ahead of demonstrations in March 2025.As part of the sea trials, ACUA Ocean will be working alongside Lloyd’s Register for Maritime and Coastguard Agency Workboat Code approvals.“This launch marks another major milestone in the journey for USV Pioneer and is testament to the team both at ACUA Ocean and the dozens of partners and subcontractors who have spent the last nine months delivering on this pioneering, world-first, vessel
SEA-KIT Awarded ZEVI Funding to Build Hydrogen-fueled USV
monitoring and sampling equipment. The vessel will also be able to launch and recover aerial drones for surveying, surveillance, search and rescue. ZEPHR will use two hydrogen fuel cell systems for redundancy.The vessel’s design will be reviewed with Lloyd’s Register and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to satisfy regulatory and compliance requirements and to obtain approvals for continuous operations. ZEPHR will be built at SEA-KIT’s recently expanded production facility in Tollesbury, Essex in the U.K
Fugro's USV with eROV Wins UK Maritime Agency Approval
Fugro’s Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessel (USV), has received approval from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to operate as the first USV with an electrical remotely operated vehicle (eROV) in UK waters.The MCA is the government body that regulates vessels in the UK ensuring they meet technical, safety and environmental requirements of the region. "Fugro sees this as a breakthrough development as USVs play a vital role in the future of the maritime sector by improving safety, reducing carbon emissions, and delivering data more efficiently," Fugro said."With
XOCEAN Acquires 4D Ocean
follows the news of XOCEAN’s successful €7.9 million funding round earlier this month.XOCEAN, which uses marine robotics known as unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to collect ocean data, has recently delivered projects for clients including BP, Equinor, PX Group and the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The services provided by XOCEAN include mapping the seabed, inspecting subsea structures and monitoring the environment.Currently XOCEAN has USVs in operation in the UK, Azerbaijan, Trinidad and Canada with plans to build an additional 22 USVs over the next 12 months and recruit an additional
XOCEAN Secures $8.7 mln in Funding
scaling plans and was fully subscribed by existing shareholders.XOCEAN is transforming the way ocean data is collected using marine robotics known as Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). The company has recently delivered projects for clients including BP, Equinor, PX Group and the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The services provided by XOCEAN include mapping the seabed, inspecting subsea structures and monitoring the environment.XOCEAN’s Chief Financial Officer Karen May said “It is a really exciting time for the business as we scale. This new investment allows us to accelerate
XOCEAN Attracts Funds for Global Growth
Officer, Karen May, said, “It is a really exciting time for the business as we scale. This new investment allows us to accelerate our growth with expansion into new markets internationally.”Having delivered projects for clients including BP, Equinor, PX Group and the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Irish-based XOCEAN currently has USVs in operation in the UK, Azerbaijan, Trinidad and Canada, with plans to build an additional 22 USVs over the next 12 months and recruit an additional 140 employees to service the market demand.James Ives, CEO, XOCEAN, said, “We are experiencing
BP Says Oil from North Sea Spill to Sisperse Naturally
; The most recent surveillance flight already indicates significant dispersal of the oil at the surface. Britain's BEIS said it would hold an investigation to determine the cause of the incident, which is standard procedure. "We are working closely with BP and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to resolve the incident on the Clair platform," a spokesman said. There have been no reported injuries, the department added. (Reporting by Ron Bousso and Karolin Schaps; Editing by David Goodman and David Evans)
UK MCA Contract Award to PDMS
PDMS Maritime is delighted to announce a significant new contract with the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to provide a new integrated system to incorporate seafarer management and approved doctor records, delivering process efficiency improvements and enhanced customer services, in line with the MCA's Digital Strategy. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is an executive agency of the UK Department for Transport. Its responsibilities include UK ship registration and seafarer certification and it is widely recognised for its operational and technical ability.
Historic Cannon Returned to its Dutch Home
An official ceremony marking the handing back by the U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency of a bronze cannon to the city where it was first made, has been held in Zierikzee, Netherlands. The cannon had been brought ashore by commercial diver Vincent Woolsgrove from off the Kent coast but was recovered by the MCA during a search warrant executed in 2011. Woolsgrove was charged with fraud offences relating to other Dutch cannons and is currently serving a two year sentence after pleading guilty. The minion cannon which weighs one ton and is 9 foot long, was transported back to
February 2025
