Ocean Infinity’s Armada fleet will revolutionise offshore operations, providing uncrewed and low-emission alternatives to conventional marine solutions.
With 17 custom-designed hybrid-powered robotic ships ranging from 21-78m in length, Ocean Infinity’s new Armada Fleet is being designed and built to be remotely-operated for both maritime and payload operations. The fleet is currently in build with the first ships to be delivered in 2022.
In this paper, we will present results from our Remote Control Centre testing phase, explaining our stepped approach to fully remote operations ahead of the vessel launches. Results from our trials will be presented, with satellite communications allowing us to launch, operate and recover various equipment, sensors and subsea vehicles completely uncrewed. We’ll also be discussing how the enterprise technology infrastructure of our Remote Control Centres allows us to do what we do, and what sets them apart from existing remote operational setups.
In addition, our progress working with various industry bodies such as the MCA, IMCA and a range of class societies and flag states will be discussed. We will present how we are establishing new guidance and processes towards safe and legal operation of our new fleet, allowing the industry to adopt and benefit from our new and efficient ways of working.
Remotely operated and uncrewed vessels will be a huge part of the future of our industry, and we look forward to engaging with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to show the progress we’ve made.
Michael King
With a technical background as a geophysicist, Michael started his career working offshore across the world, followed by further time on vessels conducting coastal hydrographic and geophysical surveys, primarily for offshore wind projects. This led to a move into project management, where he gained extensive experience across a range of oil and gas projects, within the offshore renewables sector and for the subsea cables market in the UK and Europe.
More recently, he has been focussed on business development and innovation, responsible for providing strategic commercial support and insight, with particular concentration on uncrewed systems and their applications.
He is currently senior member of the commercial team at Ocean Infinity, responsible for their new Armada Fleet, and has presented at conferences and industry events across the world. He sits on various industry committees and steering groups, including the Marine Studies Group of the Geological Society of London, and is the vice-chair of IMCA’s MASS committee.