Unlocking the Future of Maritime Safety with Unmanned Systems

In a coastal city’s bustling harbour, an unmanned surface vessel (USV) glides across the waters to patrol and scan the seas. The USV’s ‘eyes’ or sensors spot a suspicious vessel, and the sophisticated perception system, which acts as the vessel's ‘brain’, processes the data in real time. This information is relayed securely to the command centre, providing valuable intelligence in real-time. Law enforcement is promptly dispatched to intercept the vessel and apprehend the group of illegal immigrants, effectively safeguarding the city’s security.

The above scenario is now a reality as unmanned systems with automation have become a game-changer that makes maritime vessels safer, more efficient, and less reliant on crew members. Using unmanned systems to replace humans in dull, dirty or dangerous missions is a growing trend – whether it is to meet the need for increased patrols in regions of rising geopolitical tensions, participate in Mine Countermeasures (MCM) missions which are increasing as mine warfare makes a comeback, to patrolling and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.

The global USV market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% between 2022 and 2030 [1] , with the US being the biggest USV market, worth US$196.6 million in 2022. However, several countries are expected to have a significant CAGR in that same period, namely Japan (9.6%) and Canada (8.7%).

ST Engineering’s Unmanned & Integrated Systems has designed automation platforms to make manpower-reliant and dangerous maritime activities a thing of the past. Its wide range of autonomous vessels includes the Smart Maritime Autonomous Vessel (SMAV) that is converted from a crewed tugboat, the MERCURY Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and the JUPITER Autonomous Solar-Powered vessel (ASPV).

Many of these vessels are integrated with AUTONOMAST™, an all-in-one system that seamlessly integrates and transforms any manned vessels into USVs capable of undertaking routine tasks and high-stakes missions. Fully autonomous with no crew on board, a USV makes the patrolling job safer by eliminating any exposure to danger and minimises safety incidents due to operator fatigue out at sea.

Being compact and versatile, the AUTONOMAST™ occupies no more than one seat space and is designed to fit into containers that meet the standards specified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to facilitate shipment processes. It is currently available in three variants, each tailored to different types of vessels ranging from 7 to 20 metres in length, with versions for larger vessels in the pipeline.

Such autonomous solutions are helpful not just for law enforcement agencies and the Coast Guard; they can also detect and deter piracy, reduce risk in marine firefighting operations, and even be deployed for labour-intensive offshore survey work.

For some navies and marine authorities, building unmanned systems from scratch may not be appropriate as the initial cost of setting up production facilities or obtaining technologies from a market that is still developing may be prohibitively expensive. The AUTONOMAST™ thus provides the flexibility to move to unmanned at their own pace, without having to commit time and resources to acquire unmanned vessels.

Powering smart navigation

At the heart of AUTONOMAST™ lies its advanced guidance Artificial Intelligence (AI) software, which enables smart navigation through complex maritime environments. By leveraging full-resolution images of coastline and shallow water contours, geo-fences, and no-go zones, operators can chart safe courses with precision, allowing for transportation from points A to B to be done autonomously, allowing the operator to focus on mission objectives.

Furthermore, the system’s robust perception suite, bolstered by AI algorithms trained on vast datasets, enables real-time obstacle detection and avoidance, even in adverse weather conditions. From detecting small obstacles like barrels to manoeuvring around larger vessels, AUTONOMAST™ ensures operational safety and efficiency in every mission scenario.

At shore, the control station is designed to give the operator optimal remote situational awareness and intervention capabilities. The operator gets a 360-degree view of the USV surroundings captured by camera optics from this station. Additionally, augmented reality overlays serve as decision support tools, enhancing the operator’s ability to make informed decisions. For added convenience, operators can use a handheld tablet as an alternative means of control, providing full vessel control, especially in close-quarter maneuvering situations.

Depending on the application, the perception suite or AUTONOMAST™ obstacle detection software is integrated into the USV and can detect obstacles as small as barrels and sailing yachts, which standard navigation radars may miss. ST Engineering’s AI engine which has been trained using over 50,000 images makes this possible.

This software employs metadata augmentation to highlight nearby obstacles and ships with colored boxes in the video output, alerting the operator while guiding the vessel around these obstacles. This capability proves invaluable across various missions, such as helping firefighting teams avoid debris from larger ships or oil rigs.

In rough weather, the AUTONOMAST™ algorithm stabilises the ship by optimising route planning to minimise the effects of rocking caused by waves and wind. AUTONOMAST™ SUV demonstrations conducted in various countries have showcased the USVs’ ability to withstand rough sea states effectively.

A secure foundation

As maritime operations increasingly rely on telecommunication features, ensuring robust cyber resilience is paramount. The AUTONOMAST™ system incorporates hardened operating systems, cyber security software, and secure communication gateways to safeguard against malicious infiltration and data breaches, thereby upholding the integrity of mission-critical operations.

To connect the ship to the command centre on land, mesh Wi-Fi, Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and satellite communications network datalinks are used to aggregate the data to provide a high level of connectivity, and allow positive control authority over the vessel at all times.

On the USV, hardened operating systems and interfaces minimise the attack surface or the points where unauthorised users can access data, which guards against malicious infiltration. Cyber security software is also installed to detect any anomalies in the USV’s subsystems, where data points do not align with the standard data pattern.

At the shore control centre, the systems are protected with BIOS-based malware resistance and anomaly detection. The communication gateways between the USV and the control centre are also safeguarded through a secure data link with a content checker. As sensitive data may be transmitted in security operations, this prevents external parties from hijacking any information.

Unmanned firefighting at sea

The scenario of a fire at sea poses an immense risk, as even a small fire can spread in seconds to damage life and property.

Not too long ago, numerous firefighting officers had to be dispatched to the scene in a mission that could endanger their lives, from blaze assessment to extinguishing flames. Today, USVs with enhanced firefighting capabilities manage fires more safely and can reduce human effort by an estimated 50%.

In Singapore, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has harnessed the capabilities of ST Engineering’s VENUS Unmanned Surface Vehicle, which uses AUTONOMAST™ to augment firefighting efforts. AUTONOMAST™ relieves human operators of vessel manoeuvring tasks, enabling SCDF personnel to focus on critical firefighting endeavors, enhancing operational effectiveness, and reducing safety incidents.

The USV's ability to perform vessel manoeuvre functions like station keeping reduces the cognitive load on human operators so crew members can focus on firefighting—this cuts down human effort by half or more. Not only are firefighting capabilities enhanced, but there is also less risk to lives.

The remotely controlled USV is like a first responder deployed into the danger zone, sending critical intelligence to the control station at shore to determine the best course of action.

The use of infrared cameras that provide a 360-degree view, pinpoint the hot spot, provide visibility in low-light conditions and facilitate the direction of the water monitors for more effective firefighting. Augmented reality overlays help support decision-making.

At the same time, a robust perception suite with radar and optical trackers, multi-sensor fusion and navigation charts detect obstacles as small as barrels and sailing yachts that standard navigation radars can overlook. This allows firefighters to avoid debris, improving safety and efficiency.

The AUTONOMAST™ autopilot system considers the weight and thrust of water monitors—canons that eject large amounts of water (or foam) to put out a blaze—so the vessel maintains its position amidst dynamic conditions.

The USV works with other crewed vessels to achieve a better result, with less personnel. This means fewer officers are put at risk in a mission.

A force multiplier

Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) was looking for a maritime robotics solution that could improve efficiencies in maritime navigation and mission manoeuvres — tasks that used to require many crew members with specialised skills.

DSTG decided to implement AUTONOMAST™ to revolutionise its maritime navigation and mission manoeuvres. The compact solution has been integrated onto a 12-metre vessel and has been deployed in Australian waters. AUTONOMAST's advanced control algorithms were calibrated to suit DSTG's vessel for quick and accurate control, freeing crew members up for higher-value tasks.

Even as the AUTONOMAST™ is being lauded for its versatility and high performance, the ST Engineering team is not resting on its laurels. A variant suited for rigid-hulled inflatable boats is now being developed so the upstanding advantages of maritime robotics can reach even more global users in the defence, public safety and the commercial space.

Whether patrolling coastlines or combating piracy, the autonomy conferred by AUTONOMAST™ not only enhances operational efficiency but also minimises risks to human lives, ushering in a new era of maritime safety and security.

[1] Source: Research and Markets report on the Global USV market published in February 2024¹

Find out more: www.stengg.com/autonomast