Sulmara Inks Services Agreement for 10 Saildrone Voyager USVs

Sulmara has signed a contract with Saildrone to globally deploy and operate 10 Saildrone Voyager uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs).

This is one of the largest single orders for unmanned vehicles in the survey sector and will be operated from remote operation centers in Glasgow, UK, San Francisco, CA, and St. Petersburg, FL, in the US and Singapore.

Sulmara and Saildrone have established a joint working group to drive the adoption of low carbon USV based survey and inspection across the global offshore energy sector, removing the reliance on manned vessels and ultimately lowering the carbon footprint of energy generation offshore.

This contract between Sulmara and Saildrone marks a new era for USV operations. The Voyager’s operational endurance of up to 90 days, without a crewed support vessel, is unprecedented for any IHO-compliant survey USV and further innovation in data acquisition and reporting systems will deliver improved efficiency and real time QC far beyond what is currently capable from unmanned survey platforms in the sector.

The Saildrone Voyager is 10m long and carries an impressive payload for survey operations including high resolution MBES and Innomar SBP systems. It is the only survey USV that can deliver long-duration IHO-compliant multibeam mapping surveys and ocean data collection at depths up to 300m. The systems are also configured for acoustic and atmospheric ocean data and maritime security payloads. The Voyager, the newest model in the Saildrone lineup, joins the 7m long Saildrone Explorer and 22m long Saildrone Surveyor, which is capable of IHO-compliant multibeam mapping down to 7,000m

CEO of Sulmara Kevin M^cBarron Said: “We aim to change what the future will say about offshore energy, because environmental impact doesn’t stay offshore. Collaboration is key in advancing technologies and reducing costs to both our clients and the planet. Having Saildrone as a likeminded partner on this journey is key in enabling Sulmara to meet our commitments to the Carbon Pledge and beyond.”

“We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Sulmara. High-resolution maps of the seabed are essential to help protect and grow the blue economy and facilitate sustainable aquaculture and offshore energy,” said Saildrone founder and CEO Richard Jenkins. “Uncrewed systems can do far more, at far lower costs than traditional approaches. We are very excited to operationalize our new Voyager fleet, with Sulmara, in the energy industry.”

Sulmara and Saildrone are exhibiting at Oceanology International, March 15-17, Excel London, Stand F200