OceanAlpha has unveiled two innovative multi-functional autonomous marine unmanned surface vessels (USVs) aimed at addressing the technical challenges faced by marine survey experts. These cutting-edge models were showcased at the China Ocean Economy Expo.
The latest USVs represent a significant advancement over earlier OceanAlpha offerings, featuring enhanced modularity and a spacious deck that boosts payload capacity and versatility. Their catamaran structure ensures superior stability, allowing the vessels to maintain a roll of less than 10 degrees even in sea state 4 conditions. Additionally,both models are equipped with hybrid-electric propulsion systems,which enhance their endurance for extended survey missions.
Dr. Pu Jinjing, General manager of OceanAlpha R&D, highlighted that these vessels have made significant strides in various areas, including endurance, communication, navigation accuracy, measurement capabilities, safety, and maintenance simplicity. The vessels now feature reliable autonomous winch retraction with cable lengths reaching up to 200 meters, alongside reduced vibration and noise levels. The signal-to-noise ratio of the acoustic equipment can be improved by over 20% during operations, and mission endurance has been extended to more than 72 hours, making these vessels exceptionally suited for offshore tasks.