Fugro to deploy new autonomous USV at Beatrice offshore wind farm

August 6, 2024, by Adrijana Buljan

Fugro is set to soon deploy its autonomous uncrewed surface vessel (USV) Fugro Vaquita at the Beatrice offshore wind farm in Scotland.

SEA-KIT International’s latest 12-meter X-Class uncrewed surface vessel (USV) Fugro Blue Essence has been awarded Lloyd’s Register (LR) unmanned marine systems (UMS) certification, which stands as the company’s fifth certificate, and the first LR UMS certificate for a Category 0 certified vessel. — Source: SEA-KIT

The USV, which Fugro took delivery of at the beginning of this year, will conduct a non-intrusive uncrewed survey campaign at several wind locations. According to a Notice to Mariners from the project, the vessel will conduct surveys at 34 wind turbine locations at the Beatrice array site.

Operations are due to commence on 13 August and take around 18 days, subject to weather conditions.

Developed in partnership with SEA-KIT, Fugro Vaquita is Fugro’s second 12-metre Blue Essence USV to operate in European waters.

The USV joined the Dutch company’s fleet in January 2024 and has earned Category 0 approval from the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA), the highest level of approval for autonomous vessels. According to Fugro, it is now the largest USV to operate fully remotely, with unrestricted access, to support marine projects further offshore.

The 588 MW Beatrice offshore wind farm has been in operation since 2019, after the final of its 84 Siemens Gamesa’s SWT-7.0-154 wind turbines was installed in May that year.

The project is owned by Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited (BOWL), a consortium of SSE Renewables, Red Rock Power, The Renewables Infrastructure Group, and Equitix.