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An unmanned ship ready to go - 28th May 2021

The long-awaited launch of Mayflower 400, the world’s first autonomous vessel, marks a new chapter in sailing history. Its construction has required international collaboration by scientists, engineers, environmentalists and naval experts. The driverless vehicle has been built to sail across the Atlantic unaided by the team.

Named after the Mayflower ship which took settlers to America in 1620, the crewless craft had been due to set sail last year. However, lockdown restrictions prevented its completion and delayed safety trials.

One engineering student assisting the team, Meirwin Jenking-Rees, outlines the difficulties.

Meirwen Jenking-Rees: "It’s possible. It’s just a bit of a struggle that we’re still in the, in the trials area. So we haven’t been able to go out in full choppy ocean waves, wind, rain. The full sort of worst case scenario stuff hasn’t been achieved yet."

The hi-tech ship, fitted with cameras, computers and sensors, can be monitored and operated from shore in the event of any complications. However, artificial intelligence algorithms trained using thousands of images and sailing regulations should keep the “AI Captain” in control. Software and robotics expert Oliver Thompson is the engineer behind this creation.

Oliver Thompson: "We don’t have to show her every single boat she’ll ever see for her to know that that particular boat is a boat. There are common features, and that applies to the decisions she makes as well."

Scientific instruments powered by the sun’s rays take the place of the crew on board ship. These sensitive devices measure sea levels and conduct experiments analysing the ocean’s chemical makeup. Information on routes taken by Atlantic whale pods will also be recorded with specialist audio equipment.

This data collection approach may prove more effective than research carried out by crewed ships. Beyond the financial advantages, it would be significantly better for the environment. Project director Brett Phaneuf highlights his team’s ecological goals.

Brett Phaneuf: "And then if we can do that – remaining safe in terms of other people on the ocean, other ships on the ocean and also dealing with whatever the ocean can throw at us from a weather perspective – the AI systems can do that. That’s a huge move forward into reducing the cost of going to sea to collect the data that we need to understand the planet better. And that’s really the ultimate goal."