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
SeaMachines SM300 Remote Control and AI System
World-leading autonomous command and control system for commercial vessels.
- Control via autonomy computer
- Intuitive user interface for remote operator
- Payload control & stream-from-ship data
- Communication, via line-of-sight or over-the-horizon
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
Method Comparison – Traditional Vs USV
Example 60-day project
Traditional: USV:
| Mob | 3 | $ 96,000.00 |
| Calibrations | 2 | $ 64,000.00 |
| Tide Installs | 5 | $ 160,000.00 |
| Field Work | 60 | $ 1,920,000.00 |
| Tide Recover | 4 | $ 128,000.00 |
| Demob | 1 | $ 32,000.00 |
| $ 2,400,000.00 |
| Mob | 1 | $ 22,000.00 |
| Calibrations | 2 | $ 44,000.00 |
| Tide Installs | 6 | $ 72,000.00 |
| Field Work | 60 | $ 1,320,000.00 |
| Tide Recover | 4 | $ 48,000.00 |
| Demob | 1 | $ 22,000.00 |
| $ 1,528,000.00 |
USV = 41% lower cost (no weather)
Traditional:
Mob | 3 | $ 96,000.00 |
Calibrations | 2 | $ 64,000.00 |
Tide Installs | 5 | $ 160,000.00 |
Field Work | 60 | $ 1,920,000.00 |
Tide Recover | 4 | $ 128,000.00 |
Demob | 1 | $ 32,000.00 |
|
| $ 2,400,000.00 |
USV:
Mob | 1 | $ 22,000.00 |
Calibrations | 2 | $ 44,000.00 |
Tide Installs | 6 | $ 72,000.00 |
Field Work | 60 | $ 1,320,000.00 |
Tide Recover | 4 | $ 48,000.00 |
Demob | 1 | $ 22,000.00 |
|
| $ 1,528,000.00 |
USV = 41% lower cost (no weather)
