Autonomous Atlantic crossing planned for 2020

The Mayflower Autonomous Research Ship (MARS) is being developed in partnership with MSubs and Shuttleworth Design, who bring knowledge of autonomous vessels and yacht design respectively. The voyage is planned for 2020, to mark the 400^th anniversary of the original Mayflower crossing from Plymouth to Massachusetts.

MARS will have a trimaran design, and will also carry a number of drones onboard to conduct research during the crossing.

“MARS has the potential to be a genuine world-first and will operate as a research platform, conducting numerous scientific experiments during the course of its voyage,” said Professor Kevin Jones, executive dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Plymouth University.

“It will be a test bed for new navigation software and alternative forms of power, incorporating huge advancements in solar, wave and sail technology.”

As well as the technical challenges involved, there are also a number of regulatory hurdles that must be cleared for autonomous vessels to operate at sea. According to Brett Phaneuf, managing director of MSubs, the consortium has already initiated conversations with bodies such as the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and classification society DNV GL.