SEA-KIT press release
SEA-KIT has worked closely with Lloyd’s Register since early 2020 in a concerted effort to achievethe highest standards for the Unmanned Surface Vessel(USV) sector, culminating with their latest12mX-classUSV for leading geo-data specialist, Fugro, being awarded the new UMS certification on 28 June 2021.Not only is this an important achievement for SEA-KIT, but it also represents a significant recognitionby Lloyd’s Register for the wider maritime community.
“Lloyd’s Register has been working on the safety assurance of Unmanned Marine Systemssince the launch of our UMS Code in 2017. Early on, we recognised the industry’s need for a cost effective and robust method to demonstrate that unmanned novel and complex systems are safe. The Lloyd’s Register naval team welcomed the opportunity to work with SEA-KIT to delve into the design, operation and construction of its latest Unmanned Surface Vessel. We are pleased to provide certification and safety assurance of SEA-KIT’s unmanned system.”
Paul James, Lloyd’s Register’s Naval Centre of Expertise Manager
“Wethrive on challenging ourselves to continuously raisethe barand this is yet another example of hard work by the whole team paying off.Everyone here at SEA-KIT was integral to this achievement.We are absolutely delighted to be the firstto receive UMS certification from Lloyd’s Registerand hope that this will be the first of many as we continue to push boundariesand set the highest standardsin the development of safe, multi-mission USV platforms.”
Ben Simpson, SEA-KIT CEO
Unmanned systemstechnologiescontinue to gain a stronghold in the offshore sector. Fugro’s SEA-KIT USVs are already working on commercialprojects around the world, with multiple additional builds plannedthatincludea larger vessellater this year.
“This is a ground-breaking milestone as it provides the framework needed to certify the safe design and build of our Blue Essence USV fleet. It will enable us, our clients and the Flag States to achieve the ambitious net-zero targets that we have set. A world-first for the industry, it’s great to be able to contribute to the transformation of the maritime business in this way.”
Ivar de Josselin de Jong, Global Director Remote Inspection at Fugro
SEA-KIThas identified numerous applications for its USV technology in other marine sectors andrecently ran a series of livecapability demonstrations for maritime defence and security stakeholdersfrom its base in Tollesbury, Essex.
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