Dutch group converts workboat for autonomous navigation trials

A Damen Shipyards-built patrol workboat will be the cornerstone of a project designed to test technology for autonomous vessels. This 1990-built multi-cat is undergoing a transformation ready to begin testing technology for remote command and autonomous navigation as part of the Fieldlab Autonomous Sailing Technology (FAST) project.

On this Damen Stan Patrol 900 vessel, the two diesel engines are being replaced with powerful electric motors and this 9-m vessel is being equipped with cameras, sensors, radar, Lidar, GPS and wind and speed measurement instruments. These sensors will replace the traditional eyes and ears of a helmsman.

Once this retrofit is completed, the patrol vessel will be used to trial autonomous sailing and remote operations in the Port of Vlissingen. If this is successful, the project partners plan to apply the technology to much larger vessels and commercial ships.

Alewijnse is providing its experience as an electrical system integrator to a collaboration with Damen Naval, the Province of Zeeland, the Municipality of Vlissingen, the HZ University of Applied Sciences, TU Delft and other companies.

“We can experiment with this prototype vessel and discover which applications for autonomous sailing work best in practice,” said Alewijnse project manager Eef Uittenbogaard. “We can collaborate with Damen and provide the complete package, from engineering and panel construction to the efficient placement of electrical components for propulsion and energy supply.”