EGS AUTONOMY: USV FREMANTLE 01
EGS Uncrewed Surface Vessel offers a unique combination of enhanced payload capacity, endurance, and the ability to operate in both crewed and uncrewed modes. The specialised design enhances sonar performance and has incorporated a retractable gondola for increased speed and will be operated using a world-leading autonomous command and control system.
Main uses:
- Hydrographic and geophysical survey in coastal conditions
- Autonomous mode 90% of operations
- Manned workboat mode 10% of operations
Design priorities:
- Excellent motions to minimize slamming impacts / bubble entrapment for sonar performance
- Ballasted transducer gondola for survey operations
- Gondola able to be retracted for sprint speed in manned workboat mode
- Vessel Designed for towing to site
- Able to be shipped anywhere in Australia on a flat rack or truck
- >10 days endurance at a survey speed of 5-7 knots.
Technical Description
1. Technical Specifications
Dimensions:
| Length: 12m/40ft (trailer excluded) Height: 2.8m Width: 2.5m Fold down instrument tower |
| Maximum displacement: | 7.85 t |
| Engines: | 1 x Yamaha 4JH110 |
| Engine Type: | Single shaft drive, open propeller |
| Genset: | 1 x 5.5kWe Mase Mariner 550S (3000rpm rated speed) |
| Fuel oil: | ~2050l |
| Endurance: | 10 days |
| Sprint speed: | 14 knots |
| Survey speed: | 8.2 knots at 19% MCR |
Key Features:
- Dual head Kongsberg multibeam echosounder
- COLREGS / AMSA compliant autonomous response and control system
- Raisable gondola through moonpool
- Steering room hatch; engine and genset hatch
- Bow access walkaway
- Gyro stabiliser
2. Automation and Communication
2.1 Autonomous/remote control system
Greenroom Robotics GAMA Remote and Autonomous Control Software
Robust, flexible, and hardware-agnostic maritime autonomy for any vessel.
• Real-time remote and autonomous control for crewed, uncrewed or optionally crewed operations.
• IP-based communication (line-of-sight or over-the-horizon)
• Modern UI for mission planning and control
• Safety hierarchy with fail-safes and COLREGs aware collision avoidance
• Payload management and continuous data streaming
2.2 Communications for remote operations
Two Starlink antennas will be used to access low orbit broadband, and an iridium antenna will be utilised as backup to maintain a permanent link to the shore control centre.
A secure encrypted VPN link will be created between the USV and the control centre in Fremantle.
A long-range encrypted Wi-Fi is used by the engineers on standby to approach and take control of the vessel safely during maintenance operations.
3. Survey Equipment
The hydrographic surveys will be conducted using a Kongsberg Multibeam Echosounder EM 2040 MKII dual swath to maximize data capture. The Multibeam Echosounder will be mounted inside a retractable gondola to increase the stability in low position and allow survey in shallows in high position. Sub bottom data is logged via a blister mount Innomar Standard parametric system.
Operational Model
1. Command Centre, Fremantle
- 24-hour remote monitoring (12hr Shifts)
- Two Coxswains
- Two Surveyors
- Live Video and Control Feeds of:
- Cameras
- Radar
- NMEA 2000 Nav Equipment
- Survey Screens
- Vessel Control
- Equipment Control
2. USV, Onsite
- Remotely Monitored 24/7
- I. ability to continue work when coms are down
- Complete basic manoeuvres in line with MARPOL
- Complete Emergency manoeuvres
3. Support Vessel
- Local vessel of opportunity on standby rate
- Service USV at 10 day interval (refuel, swap data drives etc)
- One EGS USV Technician
- One Master
