Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Bluebottle expands area of operations

by John Bulmer 21 Jul 2020 22:17 PDT
Bob leaving the heads off Botany Bay © John Bulmer

In another step forward in the development of "home-grown" unmanned surveillance vessels (USV's) the Bluebottle now has approval to operate autonomously in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Bluebottle USV was borne out of the initial collaboration between Ocius Technology (formerly Solar Sailor) and Steber International.

Steber General Manager, Alan Steber said: "It's great to see the ongoing development of the Bluebottle project which has growing maritime border security and defence capabilities".

"These latest developments follow on from an 'on-water' display at Lake Burley Griffin in late 2019 with a national and international audience, including military and government regulators and both Robert Dane (Ocius) and myself present.

"The export potential in South East Asia for maritime security and surveillance, at an affordable price, is enormous.

"This all Australian designed and made innovative USV is unique and will grow in demand including in related fields of fisheries patrol, drug and people smuggling detection, hydrographic surveys and much more" Alan said.

Development of the Bluebottle range itself also continues apace with the first next-generation Bluebottle Beth arriving in September.

In the latest sea trial, Bluebottle Bob sailed from Botany Bay to Ulladulla, averaging 3.4 knots over the 96 nautical mile distance.

Bob used 360-degree cameras, radar, Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and collision avoidance software to autonomously navigate safely during the voyage. Engineers at the Ocius R&D facility at UNSW Campus Randwick and at Charles Darwin University, Darwin, taking it in turns to be supervisors.

Ocius CEO, Robert Dane said: "Previously we have escorted USVs out to a 50sq nautical mile AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) approved area, 20 nautical miles off Ulladulla, where we could operate autonomously".

"However, we are now approved by AMSA to operate Bob (and brother Bruce) as domestic commercial vessels, which means they are permitted to operate autonomously out to the extent of Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone".

Following this successful trial, Bob is heading to Darwin to begin logistics and sea trials.

The delivery of the next-gen. Bluebottle Beth will be followed by four more of the larger model in 2021, each armed with Thales thin line sonar arrays, radar, cameras and other sensors.

Under a new Defence Innovation Hub Contract, Ocius will deploy five Bluebottles in an intelligent networked squad for three different areas of operations in three different roles.

Related Articles

Airship | Juneau to Funter Bay
We'll be buddy boating a bit over the next week or more with Dave on Turnagain We'll be buddy boating a bit over the next week or more with Dave on Turnagain, now joined by his brother Kyle. Posted on 28 Jul
Debut of the Picnic Boat 39
A new icon joins the fleet We invented the Picnic Boat. And we've never stopped perfecting it. The new Hinckley Picnic Boat 39 is a masterpiece of timeless design and modern ingenuity. Posted on 27 Jul
Prestige F4.3 - a new model for Cannes
A unique entry into the world of high-end yachting Experience the elegance and refinement of the new generation of the F-Line aboard the PRESTIGE F4.3. The quality of materials, fit and finish, interior and exterior design, functionality. Posted on 25 Jul
Four Winns debuts TH33 and TH38 power catamarans
Engineered to transform boating experiences into refined escapes Engineered to transform boating experiences into refined escapes, the new Four Winns TH33 and TH38 set a new standard for power catamarans of its size as the latest addition to its TH (Twin Hull) Series, launched in 2023. Posted on 24 Jul
Helping boaters steer clear of common mistakes
Veteran Sea Tow® captains share their tips Boating season is already in full throttle, and Sea Tow®, recognized throughout the marine industry as Your Road Service at Sea®, is proud to offer boating tips to avoid some of the most common mistakes seen on the water. Posted on 24 Jul
Airship | Ford's Terror to Wood Spit
We slept in again this morning at Ford's Terror We slept in again this morning at Ford's Terror, and then Taylor made a super yum breakfast taco bar...scrambled eggs, hash browns, Jerry's double-smoked bacon, tomatillo cream sauce, etc.... Posted on 24 Jul
Harris Boats unveils new Sunliner & Sunliner Sport
A bold evolution in Pontoon design Harris Boats, a leader in luxury pontoon craftsmanship and a Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) brand, has announced the launch of the completely redesigned Sunliner and the debut of the dynamic Sunliner Sport. Posted on 23 Jul
Marine Auctions: July Online Auctions
Bidding to start 24th July and will end 30 July We are now accepting entries for our August Online Auction. Posted on 22 Jul
The after party starts now!
Prestige have already given us two instalments of their M-Line, and now here is the third Prestige have already given us two instalments of their M-Line, and now here is the third - M7 Posted on 21 Jul
Why V-Hull powerboats dominate rough waters
The hull design plays a critical role in how a boat handles the water V-hull powerboats have long been favored by boaters who prioritize performance, especially when navigating choppy or offshore conditions. Posted on 19 Jul
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo S Series