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Image Not Available for Sail for Blue Nemo Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV)
Sail for Blue Nemo Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV)
Image Not Available for Sail for Blue Nemo Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV)

Sail for Blue Nemo Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV)

Date2014
Object number00056226
NameSail
DimensionsOther (Antenna / solar panel): 1745 mm
ClassificationsVessels and fittings
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Ocius Technology Ltd
DescriptionThe Blue Nemo unmanned surface vessel (USV) uses Rigid Opening Sails (ROS) and Hybrid Marine Power (HMP) in order to carry out operations in areas of oceanography, defence and security, hydrography, and oil and gas surveillance. Developed by 'solar sailor' advocates Ocius, 'Nemo' and its partnered test propulsion design models stand as innovative examples of USV watercraft design and sustainable oceanographic practice. This scale test propulsion model was used in the development of the Ocius Technology Ltd series of Bluebottle unmanned surface vessels (USVs) that use ROS and HMP in order to carry out similar operations. This series of five test propulsion design models stand as innovative examples of USV watercraft propulsion design and sustainable oceanographic practice. The Blue Nemo and subsequent series are part of the larger movement of ocean science technology moving towards safer and sustainable alternatives to explore, monitor and quantify our ocean environments. Similar technological strides include Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) becoming commercially accessible beyond their industrial realm. ROVs include technology like underwater drones that have replaced humans surveying and inspecting underwater infrastructure and environments. The advantages for scientific research and maritime industries allow greater safety for staff, higher output and coverage which can now include environments unsuitable for humans or too costly to work in. Historyhttps://ocius.com.au/about/our-story "Ocius Technology Ltd (formerly Solar Sailor Holdings Ltd) is an Australian public unlisted company with Research and Development facilities at the University of NSW. In 1997, Solar Sailor won the Advanced Technology Boat Race in Canberra, beating the next solar boat by 5 laps of 6km (30km) using a new patented 'solar sail' - a simple device which harnesses both solar and wind energy in a seaworthy manner. Since then, the company has proven a solid track record of conceiving, funding, and delivering difficult, innovative, high-tech, award-winning projects on time and on budget. The company has built multiple 'solarsailor' prototypes and six high-tech, award winning, hybrid electric, commercial passenger ferries to international classification requirements, which together have carried tens of thousands of passengers. Today, four solarsailor hybrid electric ferries operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club operate 364 days of year, 14 hours a day, from Sai Kung to Kau Sai Chau half the fuel ferries.Following an enquiry from the USA in 2007 for a 'platform that could go to sea forever', the company began research into the development of unmanned solar/wind/wave powered ocean vessels or autonomous unmanned surface vessels. Initially, a 20-foot manned engineering development model (EDM) proved the 'speed of advance' in all conditions, adequate power, payload and persistence for a sustainable platform go to sea for months. In 2014, Solar Sailor changed its name to OCIUS (Latin for 'fleet') to reflect an expansion of its patented technologies and a pivot in direction for the company. OCIUS built multiple scale models for tank and lake testing, culminating in the building of the first 10' prototype called 'Nemo' (Latin for 'no one' ie unmanned) which provided significant proof of concept of a solar, wind and wave powered USV carrying a significant payload. Based on Nemo's development, in 2015, OCIUS was awarded a Capability Technology Demonstrator (CTD) from Defence Science and Technology Group. This proved a significant contract and OCIUS with our partner Thales developed an 18' prototype 'Bruce' for Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW), which was demonstrated to the NAVY in August 2017. In Sept 2018, Ocius was awarded its second defence contract under the Defence Innovation Hub to build an intelligent “Command and Control (C2) network” of intelligent persistent unmanned surface vessels. In November 2019 'Bruce' participated Autonomous Warrior War games in Jervis Bay. Due to extreme weather, 'Bruce' was often the only USV operating. Ocius' intelligent C2 system was used to control another Navy WAMV catamaran and 2 DSTG UUVs. From May - June 2019, Ocius completed 6 week endurance and intelligent networking trials in a designated AMSA approved 'box' off the NSW Coast, successfully completing the DIH contract 3 months ahead of schedule. Ocius is continuing its work with Thales, testing a new Thales thin line array deployed from the Bluebottle keel winch to significant and varying depths, which is being demonstrated at Pacific 2019 Expo at Darling Harbour 8-10 October."SignificanceThe Blue Nemo (Latin for 'no one') USV and test propulsion models are of great significance as representations of current, leading, innovations in ocean science and USV watercraft design. A result of collaboration between Ocius Technology and Steber International, the Blue Nemo uses Rigid Opening Sails (ROS) and Hybrid Marine Power (HMP) - wind, wave and solar - in order to carry out USV operations in areas of oceanography, defence and security, hydrography, and oil and gas surveillance. Operational Blue Nemo's are self-deployable and retrievable, self-propelled, low cost, adaptable to extreme weather, and have an ability to roam widely from months to years.

The Blue Nemo is of further significance as an example of environmentally sustainable oceanographic practice, an area Ocius has focused on via solar sail alternatives since its inception in 1995. The test propulsion models are significant components to the acquisition in detailing the technological development of the Blue Nemo and in particular, the sustainable design approach with Rigid Opening Sails and Hybrid Marine Power.

The Blue Nemo and test propulsion models present as important acquisitions within the key collection focus area of oceanography. They illustrate the development of suitable propulsion systems for use on unmanned surface vehicles. They further offer the potential of building a strong partnership with Ocius, and engagement in any research opportunities that may arise with their lab at UNSW. Mark Bethwaite, current chair of Ocius, was a former chair of the Maritime Museum.