The University of Plymouth recently took delivery of the UK-built C-Worker 4 Uncrewed Surface Vessel – USV Cetus. (Cetus being Greek for sea monster, and origin for cetacean). A key asset in the development and demonstration of satellite enabled offshore technologies, this cutting edge vessel was purchased under the European Regional Development Fund; Marine Business Technology Centre project, to provide fully funded marine tech innovation support to Devon based SMEs. It joins the University’s fleet of research vessels, unmatched in the UK, as the latest platform to apply the University’s world-leading marine teaching and research.

The human population depends on our ability to better harness and protect the resources of our oceans in a truly sustainable way. By providing industry with access to a commercial grade USV platform and expert to facilitate trial technologies offshore, this creates a step change in the capabiltiiy of the marine tech and space community in the South West.

USV Cetus will principally be deployed within Smart Sound Plymouth, Britain’s premier proving area for designing, testing and developing cutting edge products and services for the marine sector; ideally suited for building and supporting the next generation of advanced marine technologies.

At this exciting time for emerging marine technology, as the world recognises the growing need for space-enabled remotely operated products and services, the MBTC project is working with key stakeholders, including harbour and port authorities, to establish safe best practice… in practice. Chosen for its flexibility, USV Cetus is a blank canvas that will be continually reconfigured to fulfil a wide range of innovative R&D tasks in partnership with industry.

For further information and to access USV Cetus, please contact the University of Plymouth MBTC team via:  https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/esif-funded-projects/marine-business-tech

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