A new unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was recently handed over the South Hampshire College Group (SHCG), a merged college group consisting of three further education colleges from Southampton, Eastleigh, and Fareham in the UK.
Classed as a digital training vessel (DTV), the USV was built by a partnership formed by local firms HydroSurv, Robosys Automation, and SeaRegs Training.
The DTV is designed to be controlled remotely from either a shore-based mission control centre or a mothership through digital remote operations with optional AI decision-aided support.
The SHCG said the DTV will contribute to supporting learning across new and innovative maritime skills, which will help to address the sector's skills shortage and regional social employment challenges.
The skillsets required for USV Remote Operators combine digital, marine engineering, marine electrical, systems engineering, net zero understanding, and navigational knowledge, which until recently were unavailable as a single career pathway. Through a new curriculum being rolled out this coming academic year, students from across traditionally distinct faculty areas will gain invaluable experience, knowledge, and skills to raise awareness of the maritime sector as a viable career option in which to progress.
The SHCG expects training on the DTV will ensure students will be better equipped to enter a broad spectrum of maritime sectors including offshore wind farm support, hydrography, aquaculture, defence, and marine sciences.