Blueboat Offshore Legalities UK

[BryanGT (Bryan)]

Good morning. We are looking at using our Blueboat Offshore, deployed from a research vessel.

With the new Workboat Code 3 in force covering Autonomous vehicles, can anyone advise what regulations and rules we must follow with regards to using our Blueboat.

Is there a minimum level of training required for a USV operator?

We are a commercial organisation.

[tony-white]

Hi @BryanGT -
I found and reviewed the code you’re referring too.

It seems to indicate that ROUVs “remotely operated unmanned vessels” - (yet another acronym!) are included in their regulations when in commercial use.

@Annex 2 - Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels (p259)

1.1.1 This Annex applies to Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels (ROUVs)
operating as workboats that operate to sea. It applies to such vessels that are
United Kingdom (UK) vessels wherever they may be, and to non-United
Kingdom vessels operating from United Kingdom ports whilst in United
Kingdom waters.

@Forword - Introduction (p10)

1.3 The ROUVs to which the Code applies are vessels with no persons on board,
where the vessel is operated from a Remote Operation Centre. Such vessels
are treated, by both UK and international law, as a type of cargo vessel and the
level of safety and protection provided for in the Code for those persons coming
into contact with such vessels and/or operating the vessel remotely, is
considered to be commensurate with the current expectations of the general
public for these types of vessel.

@Definitions (p24)

“Remote Operator” means any person, including the Master, with
recognised or certifiable experience who is engaged in the remote operation
of a ROUV;

“Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessel (ROUV)” means a vessel with no
persons on board, that is operated from a location remote to the vessel;

Generally I believe that these requirements only apply to BlueBoats navigating “at sea” - and it may be a grey area if something as small as the BlueBoat is considered a Workboat.
I would recommend contacting your local authorities for feedback on what might be required!