Classification society ABS has awarded classification to the Saildrone Surveyor, a fully autonomous deepwater unmanned surface vessel (USV).
Being 20 meters long, the Surveyor is the largest class of USVs from Saildrone. The vessel is capable of conducting unmanned operations, providing maritime security, ocean mapping, and meteorological and oceanographic data using unmanned autonomous assets.
This milestone follows the smaller 10-meter Voyager , which achieved ABS class in 2023 and is designed for persistent surveillance in coastal and near-shore environments.
“ABS and Saildrone are pioneering new frontiers, setting the pace for innovation. This step forward is a result of our investments in ABS’ technical capability and helping to ensure our Rules are able to support innovation with an unwavering focus on safety,” said Patrick Ryan , ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.
Richard Jenkins , Saildrone’s founder and CEO, said that the ABS class certification represented more than just a certificate, describing it as a signal to governments and the maritime industry that Saildrone’s USVs were mature, safe, tested, and ready for scale. He explained that achieving the certification had required a significant investment and a multi-year process.
In April this year, Saildrone partnered with defense company Thales, whose BlueSentry thin-line towed sonar array was successfully integrated into Surveyor.
According to Thales, the system showed particularly strong results in maintaining continuous surveillance across high-traffic areas where traditional maritime security assets are stretched thin and face significant operational challenges. The company added that it also showed an ability to detect and track surface vessels, submarines and UUVs.