In January 2018, The Maritime Robotics Laboratory took delivery of the C-Cat 3 – a 3m autonomous catamaran from ASV Global. The vessel is the first of a new class of vessels for ASV and is small enough to easily transport and mobilise but is able to carry a significant range of payloads.
The vessel will be used both for scientific and engineering research in the development of autonomous systems. The investment was funded by an EPSRC RAS Capital Award.
As part of the vessel delivery, Dr Blair Thornton, Dr Nick Townsend and Dr Jon Downes undertook a C-Cat 3 specific ASV Remote Operator Course with ASV Global. This involved undertaking the RYA powerboat level 2 handling course (including a very wet passage from Porchester to Cowes and back) and 3 days operations with the C-Cat3 from a support vessel. All involved were very grateful for the efforts of ASV Global to run this course which provided good insights into the workings of the ASView® system and experience of operating this class of vessel.
See also: https://www.asvglobal.com/university-southampton-takes-delivery-asv-global-c-cat-3-autonomous-vessel/
