SEA-KIT awarded first UMS certificate by LR

It is an important milestone for both the maritime industry and SEA-KIT which has been working with Lloyd’s Register since 2020.

Lloyd’s Register launched its UMS Code in 2017. “Early on, we recognised the industry’s need for a cost effective and robust method to demonstrate that unmanned novel and complex systems are safe,” said Paul James, Lloyd’s Register’s Naval Centre of Expertise manager.

“The Lloyd’s Register naval team welcomed the opportunity to work with SEA-KIT to delve into the design, operation and construction of its latest Unmanned Surface Vessel. We are pleased to provide certification and safety assurance of SEA-KIT’s unmanned system.”

Unmanned systems continue to gain a stronghold in the offshore sector. Fugro’s SEA-KIT USVs are already working on commercial projects around the world, with multiple additional builds planned that include a larger vessel later this year.

Ben Simpson, SEA-KIT chief executive said that everyone on the team was integral to this achievement. “We thrive on challenging ourselves to continuously raise the bar and this is yet another example of hard work by the whole team paying off,” he said.

SEA-KIT has identified numerous applications for its USV technology in other marine sectors and recently ran a series of live capability demonstrations for maritime defence and security stakeholders from its base in Essex, UK.