Commercial autonomous tug in US first

Scheduled for delivery next month, the newly built 90-ton bollard pull Rachael Allen is said to be the first US Flag harbour tug to integrate autonomous systems in real-world commercial operations. The project also marks Sea Machines’ first installation of an autonomy system on a vessel over 5,000hp.

“While our space has seen a number of government-innovation backed prototype initiatives for autonomous tugs in Europe, Japan and Singapore, it’s notable that Foss is launching the first commercially funded project in US waters,” said Sea Machines Robotics founder and chief executive, Michael G. Johnson.

“Our technology has been in use aboard commercial vessels around the world for nearly three years and is backed up by thousands of hours of testing and validation,” he added.

The SM300 system’s capabilities include transit autonomy, obstacle detection and remote access of the tugboat’s onboard machinery via streaming and video data. The Rachael Allen is fitted out with two MTU Tier 4 engines producing 6,866 horsepower and a Markey DEPGF-52R winch with 750 feet of 10-inch synthetic line on the bow and a Markey DEPC-32 stern winch with 250 feet of 6.5-inch circumference line on the stern.

“Foss is leveraging Sea Machines’ cutting-edge technology to take on the routine work and allow crew to focus on higher-level tasks and improve safety, while also increasing productivity and efficiency during harbour operations,” said Foss president and chief executive, Will Roberts.