Backed by over 100 years of combined experience, Chance Maritime Technologies has developed a fleet of high power and long endurance uncrewed boats, also known as USVs. These USVs address a critical gap, as most USVs fall into one of two categories:
- Lots of power but only run for a handful of days, making them logistically burdensome to operate, requiring frequent launch & recovery operations.
- Lots of endurance, but very little onboard power available for payloads, let alone the propulsion system, leaving sensing options limited and maneuverability at the whims of the weather.
The Mission Capable class of USVs designed, built, and operated by Chance Maritime Technologies change the narrative, by offering both power and endurance in an efficient vehicle. With 20-90 days of endurance, and kilowatts of payload power, the users of the boats are given unparalleled operational flexibility.
The MC29 is the ideal uncrewed platform to fully leverage R2Sonic’s impressive capabilities
Easy Multibeam Integration
The Sonic 2022-V+ is ideally suited for efficient multibeam data collection. With an embedded inertial measurement unit (IMU), mobilization of the Sonic V-Plus sensor was extremely straightforward. Our team was able to integrate, mobilize, and patch test the 2022-V+ in a two day span.
The 2022-V+ was mounted on a remotely operable ram so that it could be safely retracted into the hull during transit, launch, and recovery. During survey, it deploys reliably 1.5ft below the hull. Combined, the Chance Maritime Technologies MC29 and the Sonic 2022-V+, present industry leading capability to quickly and efficiently survey large regions with minimal logistical burden.
Worldwide Remote Operations Center
The surveys were conducted from Chance Maritime Technologies’ Remote Operations Center in Lafayette, LA. From the comfort of the office, the MC29 and Sonic V-Plus were controlled completely remotely over Starlink™ satellite communications.
The Remote Operations Center enables safe and efficient control of survey operations 24/7 for USV’s operating anywhere in the world. A survey technician can either sit right alongside one of Chance Maritime Technologies’ qualified USV pilots or can be completely remote.
Surveys Inland and Offshore
We validated the MC29 and Sonic V-Plus system both in an inland lake and offshore. The local 22 acre lake was surveyed fully. As a former quarry, it was found to reach a maximum depth of 65 ft.
The MC29 was then taken offshore to Vermilion Bay, which adjoins the Gulf of Mexico. The bay itself is largely flat, except near Southwest Pass, where a rushing tidal current scours the seabed.
In both scenarios, the system performed extremely well. The MC29’s active gyrostabilizer minimized roll for the multibeam, resulting in superior data quality despite any choppy seas.
Chance Maritime Technologies continues to grow its fleet of multi-payload USV’s. The MC40, a new platform trialed alongside the MC29 during this survey operation, is capable of 90 days of continuous endurance.
The Future of Long-Endurance USV Surveys
The LR30 further adds to Chance Maritime’s lease pool of USV’s enabling optimized hydrographic and fisheries data collection. Its sleek hull form allows for faster acquisition. The LR30 can be operated from a mothership using its integrated pick points. Or it can be operated completely over the horizon on its own owing to its extended endurance.
Combined with a multibeam like the Sonic V-Plus Series, the Chance Maritime fleet of ocean drones can survey an extraordinary amount of area efficiently to help achieve international goals like Seabed 2030.
For more information on Chance Maritime Technologies Ocean Drones, visit www.chancemaritime.com
For more information on R2Sonic Multibeams, visit www.r2sonic.com