The ROC + DOCK project, a UK initiative involving HydroSurv, South Devon College and BMT, has completed demonstration testing of fully automated, zero-emission uncrewed surface vessel (USV) operations for ports and harbours.
Funded through the Innovate UK Marine & Maritime Launchpad, the project developed an integrated system for autonomous USV deployment, including recovery, recharging and retasking, removing the need for manual intervention and supporting scalable uncrewed operations across multiple sites.
At its core is a solar-powered docking and replenishment station, a Remote Operations Centre (ROC) built on BMT’s REMBRANDT vessel simulator, and upgrades to South Devon College’s training vessel, USV Dart. Together, these elements form an end-to-end workflow designed to support remote environmental monitoring, inspection and surveillance missions from a centralised control facility.
The ROC + DOCK system was deployed on the River Dart in September, where HydroSurv’s REAV-16 USV performed fully automated recovery and recharging using a mooring latch within the remotely monitored dock.
Integration between HydroSurv’s control software and the REMBRANDT simulator allowed the USV to be launched and navigated via an interface traditionally used for crewed vessel training. By automating docking, charging and remote supervision, the system allows a small team to manage multiple missions from one facility without local on-water support.
“On-water data collection can achieve extraordinary productivity once vessels are set to work,” said David Hull, Founder and CEO, HydroSurv.
“The challenge lies in mobilising crew solely to launch, recover and replenish uncrewed vessels following short-duration voyages. ROC + DOCK addresses this challenge directly by enabling USVs to operate independently from a centralised hub, without the need to send a crew to the worksite.”
