Scottish Search and Rescue (SAR) technology innovator, Zelim, has developed the Guardian class of fast rescue craft, controlled by Sea Machines Robotics’ SM300 maritime autonomy, enabling unmanned operation of the vessel employing Zelim’s casualty detection and recovery process.
The 8.5m Guardian includes Sea Machines SM300 remote command and control product, making it the world’s first rescue vessel capable of uncrewed operation. The SM300 hardware integrates with the Guardian’s propulsion system and sensors, enabling vessel control while streaming real time situational awareness and Casualty Detection to a remote command center anywhere in the world. The SM300 software provides the ability to autonomously execute transit routes and broad area search patterns, as well as manually operate the craft with real time teleoperation using remote command center.
The SM300 controlled Guardian enables enhanced capability to respond to person overboard incidents and close standby cover for offshore operations. Deploying from a larger vessel, Guardian will be first to arrive on scene to recover casualties and bring them back to the safety of the parent vessel. The Guardian has been designed to cope with extreme conditions far from shore. When operating uncrewed, the vessel can be deployed in conditions usually deemed too dangerous for a crewed Fast Rescue Craft.
Zelim’s SARBox detection solution will assist the remote pilot by detecting and tracking casualties in the water, whether its daytime, night time, in mist or fog. Once detected the remote pilot will command the vessel to transit directly to them using the Sea Machines SM300 software. At this point the Guardian will deploy its patented Swift rescue solution to recover the casualties from the water, again controlled using the SM300. This combination of technologies gives the vessel a unique capability and is a global first for the maritime industry.
“When developing the world’s first remotely operated rescue vessel the command-and-control system’s reliability is absolutely critical, particularly given the lifesaving application. We are thrilled to have Sea Machines onboard for the command and control of our next generation fast rescue craft. Their demonstrable track record in remote operations, collision avoidance and autonomous operations set them apart from the competition and perfectly complements our state-of-the-art technologies,“ said Zelim’ CTO, Doug Lothian.
“As a leading developer of autonomous control systems, Sea Machines brings innovation to the global commercial maritime and defense space.We are appreciative of the opportunity to supply Zelim as their trusted autonomy provider. This project sends a clear signal to the industry that autonomous marine technology is rapidly gaining adoption and is in-demand among commercial operators,” said Sea Machines’ Sales Director Europe, Frank Relou.
About Sea Machines:
Headquartered in the global tech hub of Boston and operating globally, Sea Machines Robotics, Inc. is the leader in pioneering autonomous command and control and advanced perception systems for the marine industries. Founded in 2017, the company builds autonomous vessel software and systems, which increases the safety, efficiency, and performance of ships, workboats, and commercial passenger vessels. Learn more about Sea Machines at www.sea-machines.com.
About Zelim:
Zelim is on a mission to make unmanned search and rescue the norm. The company’s technology is changing how we find, recover and protect people in distress. Founded by mariners, the company is creating a step change in offshore safety, whereby rescuers will no longer need to risk their lives to save others and rescues are carried out in conditions previously deemed too extreme for humans. The company has three main products:
· Swift: The fastest person overboard recovery device on the market, winner of the European Commercial Marine Safety Innovation Award.
· SARBox: An AI enabled casualty detection and tracking solution.
· Guardian: The world’s first rescue vessel which can be crewed or remotely operated.
Learn more about Zelim at www.zelim.co.