Appetite for disruption

Crammed with state-of-the-art KONGSBERG technology, the vessels will initially carry out underwater survey duties off the coast of Haugesund in southern Norway, and with global interest in this disruptive approach to traditional duties, many more are set to follow.

Jostein Alendal, CEO of REACH SUBSEA, has big ambitions for developing a fleet of these vessels. He says: “Client interest in REACH REMOTE is continuously increasing across all regions and we have both national and international projects in our pipeline that fit these vessels very well.  “The successful sea launch of the REACH REMOTE USV marks a significant achievement for our organisation.”

There is a significant amount of Kongsberg Maritime equipment onboard the vessels, including the vessel control system, sensors, energy delivery and a launch and recovery system for the remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Kongsberg Maritime is also responsible for the ship design, with the vessel designated as a UT 5208 USV.

He adds: “It’s very fitting that in our 50th year of designing ships, many of which have been technology pioneers in their own right, we are able to deliver a vessel that is not only a vessel of its time, but definitely a vessel of the future.

“Nothing has been done on this scale before. Up to now we’ve seen smaller ‘drone-type’ craft carrying out limited duties, but this is something completely new, and I believe it will set the future direction for the way certain critical offshore jobs are done.”

In a unique approach to delivery, Kongsberg Maritime has taken on the role of prime contractor, with responsibility for selecting and managing the yard (Trosvik Maritime), coordinating supply chain, systems integration and commissioning. With the company also responsible for vessel design, REACH REMOTE is a true turnkey project.

Kongsberg Maritime’s Project Manager, Marthe Kristine Sand, sees the potential for volume sales as a key driver in this new approach. She says: “REACH SUBSEA has big plans for these vessels and wants to scale up, so we need to manage this in a way that can meet their expectations. 

“This project represents a real step-change in the drive for efficient and safer offshore operations. We have been at the forefront of remote and autonomous technology development in recent years, with several ground-breaking projects demonstrating the benefits of controlling vessels from shore, with a step-by-step move towards autonomous operation. 

“What’s different about REACH is that it will operate without crew, from day one. They will be carrying out duties that are typically done by much larger vessels, with large crew numbers. There are major cost advantages, in terms of crew and fuel consumption.”

The UT 5208 USV vessels are designed around a moonpool from which the ROV is launched. KONGSBERG is providing the handling equipment for the ROV, as well as hull-mounted sensors for survey work. The ROV will feature a small robotic arm to enable simple underwater tasks, such as adjusting valves or moving debris. 

Marthe adds: “Increased remote and autonomous functionality will be gradually introduced in a stepwise approach pending technology readiness. Reliability of onboard systems is critical to the success of this type of operation, particularly as the vessels are designed to have a 30-day operational window. That means they could be out on their own in the North Sea for 30 days. That’s an unthinkable concept today, so we’ve selected proven technology.” 

Bjørg Mathisen Døving, REACH REMOTE’S Vice President, says: “We’re now reaching an exciting stage as the first vessel completes sea trials and gets ready for its first deployment. This success has been down to a solid partnership between the teams at REACH SUBSEA, Kongsberg Maritime and Massterly. This powerful combination, with a determination to push the boundaries of what’s possible, will deliver a truly pioneering vessel.” 

All three companies have had a close dialogue with Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and the Norwegian Maritime Authority throughout the project, as the approval process for an unmanned vessel differs significantly from a manned vessel. 
“The journey towards this milestone has been challenging, but what started as a research project several years ago is now close to the finish line and it is amazing to see the REACH REMOTE 1 head to sea,” says Marthe.