Lloyd’s Register (LR) has issued the UK’s first certification for a remotely operated unmanned vessel (RUOV) named Pioneer, which uses hydrogen propulsion. This certification falls under the Workboat Code Edition 3 (WBC3) as mandated by the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency (MCA) and was completed in December 2023. It establishes the operational and security standards for RUOVs in British waters.
As the first authority approved by the MCA to issue these certificates, LR has paved the way for operational testing of Pioneer, which is set to participate in the British Clean Maritime Demonstrator Competition (CMDC). This initiative aims to demonstrate innovative technologies that aid in maritime decarbonization. Acua Ocean, the developer based in Plymouth, plans to conduct CMDC activities with hydrogen operations before advancing hybrid and electric variants of the vessel.
Pioneer is designed as an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system, autonomous navigation capabilities, and long-range communication. Its modular design allows it to be adapted for various offshore operations, including monitoring and inspections. LR continues to collaborate with stakeholders in autonomous shipping, anticipating more WBC3 Annex 2 certifications soon.
