ABS verified the design of the Foss harbor tug “Rachael Allen” outfitted with the Sea Machines SM300 autonomy system. “Rachael Allen” will first leverage the Sea Machines’ autonomy system for routine transit and stand-by operations, and then trial remote piloting from a shore-based command center.
The SM300 transit autonomy and station keeping are provided by interfacing with the Kongsberg-MTU propulsion system controls.
Sea Machines has previously earned full approval from ABS for its SM200 commercial wireless helm for installation aboard a class of U.S.-flag tugboats that support articulated tug-barge (ATB) sets.
The SM300 installed on “Rachael Allen” is the result of close collaboration between three U.S.- based companies: Sea Machines, Foss and ABS. This cooperation highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in bringing emerging technology solutions into commercial operations and enhancing productivity and safety by addressing issues like crew fatigue during long transits or idle periods.
Autonomous technology continues to advance at pace and ABS is committed to supporting its introduction to the industry.
said ABS’s Gareth Burton, vice president of technology.
Rachael Allen is deployed to Foss Maritime, in California, where it provides tanker escort and ship assists for Foss’ customers.
In a similar development, another harbor tug became the first vessel to be verified for autonomous collision avoidance in the Port of Singapore.
The successful sea trials involved the Keppel Smit Towage tug Maju 510 which was used to verify autonomous collision avoidance capabilities of ABB Ability Marine Pilot technology in the Port of Singapore.
In what is believed to be an industry-first, the Maju 510 became the first vessel to receive Autonomous and Remote-Control Navigation Notation from ABS and the first Singapore-flagged vessel to receive the Smart (Autonomous) Notation from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
Maju 510 was also the first to receive ABS Remote-Control Navigation Notation after initial remote operation trials at the Port of Singapore in April 2021. These latest trials verified the next level of autonomy by demonstrating automated situational awareness, collision avoidance, and maneuvering control provided by ABB technology.
