New Autonomous Hydrographic Survey Vessel Design

Boat builder SAFE Boats International on Monday unveiled Merlin, a new 23-metre semi-displacement monohull autonomous hydrographic survey vessel developed in collaboration with Mythos AI, Echo81 and World Marine Design.

SAFE Boats has exclusive rights to build the design at its large boat manufacturing facility in Tacoma, Washington. Merlin will be a Jones Act compliant all aluminum hull powered by a hybrid capable twin Volvo Penta D13 system with IPS. For an emission-free drive package, the Merlin can be equipped with pioneering hydrogen technology from Zero Emission Industries (ZEI). Both propulsion options offer lower emissions and longer range to conduct site assessment surveys in offshore wind farms.

Three deck levels offer crew and engineer berths, a full bathroom, galley, survey station and marine mammal observation post on the flybridge. The spacious aft working deck is equipped with an A-frame, twin winches, moonpool and outboard seismic outriggers. The hull has been specifically designed to integrate the industry’s most advanced sonars with minimal interference while collecting data at a highly efficient pace. A Seakeeper gyro provides active cruise control and greatly improves crew stability and comfort. A shallow draft of 1.6 m allows the Merlin to perform various survey missions and to dock in small or large ports in the USA

Hydrographic systems provider Echo81 will deliver a fully integrated geophysical sensor suite specifically designed for US offshore wind. Echo81 will provide a single source for sensor service and support, reducing the cost burden associated with owning and operating survey vessels.

Maritime autonomy provider Mythos AI is responsible for optimizing Merlin vessels for autonomous survey operations. Mythos AI’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are designed to automate geophysical workflows, eliminating the need for experienced hydrographers and crew to be physically onboard the vessel. As Mythos AI technology advances, it will be able to provide a push-button, durable, dock-to-dock, self-propelled and self-surveying offshore wind power solution.