Remote control helm type approval
Bureau Veritas (BV) has granted type approval to Sea Machines Robotics’ commercial wireless remote-control helm system.
“This inaugural certification is further proof that Sea Machines is leading the development of advanced vessel control technologies,” said Captain Artie Seaman, product manager, government and compliance, Sea Machines.
“Together we are developing the framework needed to propel our industries towards acceptance and use of advanced emerging technologies – like those of Sea Machines’ – that improve operations, efficiency and safety.”
Fit for purpose
BV said that Sea Machines is the first company to receive type approval certification for this specific form of technology.
Type Approval from Bureau Veritas means that the wireless control technology embedded in both Sea Machines’ SM200 and SM300 systems has undergone rigorous third-party testing and certification to meet the stringent demands of Classification and Flag State requirements for critical equipment on board marine vessels.
Sea Machines’ wireless remote-control helm technology offers flexible control for mariners, eliminating the need for the vessel operator to be bound to a fixed control station.
The system enables line-of-sight wireless helm and propulsion control with up to 1,000-metre range, as well as remote control of auxiliaries and payload equipment via a wearable belt-pack device, freeing mariners from the wheelhouse to conduct operations from any location.
Sea Machines’ wireless helm control is available in the SM200 and SM300 products is currently in use on US-flag tugboats in ATB sets, coastal construction tugs, search-and-rescue (SAR) vessels, explosive ordinance removal craft and survey vessels. Other applications include oil-spill response vessels, yachts and tenders, offshore support vessels, seine skiffs, daughter craft and more.
Sea Machines is a Boston, USA based developer in autonomous command and control and advanced perception systems for the marine and maritime industries.
