Saab Proposes High Speed Remote-Operated Rescue Craft for Maritime Emergencies

Saab’s Docksta Shipyard has proposed a new-generation rescue craft called the Docksta Loitering, Optionally Crewed, High Speed Rescue Vessel (LHSRV) that uses remote-operation technology to reduce response times for maritime accidents. The vessel could potentially travel at speeds exceeding 40 knots, providing a safe evacuation point for up to 20 survivors. The LHRSV could be particularly useful in Canada, where accidents often occur in cold waters far from shore.

The LHSRV has been developed in collaboration with researchers from Dalhousie University in Canada. The concept of the LHSRV was born out of the limitations of current rescue resources for remote ocean emergencies. While crewed ships are used for such rescues, they are expensive to maintain, slow, and affected by harsh weather conditions. Fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters also have limitations in terms of time on station, rescue capabilities, range, and survivor capacity.

The proposed features of the LHSRV would overcome many of these challenges and work in cooperation with conventional search and rescue platforms. The 20-meter vessel would have a self-righting design to recover quickly from capsizes, while a superstructure designed to minimize ice build-up would enable operation in cold water environments. The LHSRV would be equipped with a substantial battery system capable of being recharged by a generator and photovoltaic cells, allowing for extended periods of operation in remote ocean areas.

The LHSRV would utilize autonomous and remote-operation technologies to achieve high speeds in challenging sea conditions. It would act as a communication hub and interact with the crew of distressed vessels through remote communication features. The vessel’s interior includes an emergency helmsman seat and life-support compartments for evacuees. While the initial focus is in Canadian waters, the concept could be of use in other countries like New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, Iceland, and Norway’s Svalbard archipelago.

The next step in the development of the LHSRV is the construction of a prototype. The collaboration between Saab and Dalhousie University aims to address the shortage of maritime rescue resources globally and make the world’s oceans safer for all.

No tags for this post.

Source .