Reach Subsea in Norway has confirmed its first Reach Remote uncrewed surface vessel (USV) has been launched
Reach Subsea vice president Reach Remote Bjørg Mathisen Døving said, “I am thrilled to announce we have successfully launched our first Reach Remote vessel. This is a significant milestone for Reach Subsea. We have turned our ambitions into reality. I am excited to see where this journey takes us next.”
The first USV, Reach Remote 1, will now be prepared for harbour acceptance tests and then sea trials.
Reach Subsea signed a contract with Kongsberg Maritime for construction of the first two Reach Remote units in April 2022.
The USVs will serve as what the company described at the time as “mobile power banks, data centres and communication modules for remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).” The USV and ROVs will both be operated remotely, from an onshore control centre.
Speaking at the time that the contract was agreed, Reach Subsea chief executive Jostein Alendal said, “Reach Remote will be a game-changer for us and for the offshore industry. It will enable costs to be reduced by 20-30% and facilitate a 90-100% reduction in emissions compared with manned vessels.”
The Reach Remote project was developed by Reach Subsea jointly with Kongsberg Maritime and Massterly. In February 2022, Wilhelmsen made an equity investment in Reach Subsea that will assist with the commercialisation of Reach Remote.
Scheduled for deployment in 2024 under the Norwegian Flag, the uncrewed vessels will undertake inspection, survey and intervention services.
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