USV Completes 38-Day Offshore Survey

The Woods Hole Group and Chance Maritime Technologies have successfully completed an uninterrupted 38-day ocean current monitoring survey in the Gulf of America using an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV).

Operating approximately 200 nautical miles offshore, the mission covered more than 4,000 nautical miles while maintaining continuous operation. The achievement sets a new endurance record for diesel-powered, continuously cruising USV operations, with the deployment completed without stopping, refuelling, or any physical intervention from support vessels.

The project integrated Woods Hole Group’s FAST Eddy ocean current monitoring system aboard a Chance MC40 USV to monitor Loop Current activity. The technical configuration included Teledyne 75 kHz and 300 kHz Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) to collect high-resolution current data. In addition, Chance Maritime developed a specialised payload enabling the autonomous deployment of eight FAR Horizon drifters at client-specified locations throughout the mission.

The FAST Eddy system functions as a self-contained, real-time monitoring solution, processing and transmitting ocean current data via satellite modem. Data is made available continuously to analysts through the Metocean Mapper GIS portal, supporting real-time interpretation and decision-making.

Throughout the mission, the 40-foot Chance MC40 maintained a steady cruising speed of approximately 4.5 knots despite encountering gale-force winds and sea states exceeding 12 feet. The vessel’s continuous diesel propulsion enabled consistent speed, full manoeuvrability, and high payload capacity, distinguishing it from platforms reliant on solar or wind power. The mission also demonstrated the performance of Chance Maritime’s GAR autonomy software package under demanding offshore conditions.

Data collected during the survey complements Woods Hole Group’s EddyWatch® service, which supports offshore operations in regions affected by strong ocean currents. EddyWatch combines satellite-tracked drifting buoys, remote sensing, in-situ measurements, ocean forecast models, and expert analysis to deliver actionable current intelligence and early warning of eddy formation or intensification.

Stuart Chance, CEO of Chance Maritime Technologies, commented, “This mission marks a major success for Chance Maritime and is a testament to the experience and technical expertise of the entire team. Woods Hole Group has been excellent to work with, and we look forward to many more successful operations.”

Throughout the 38-day deployment, shore-based operators maintained continuous oversight of the vessel using live video feeds, radar, AIS, and marine VHF radio to ensure safe and effective operations.

Rob Smith, Vice President of the Energy and Infrastructure Business Unit at Woods Hole Group, added, “It has been a long-term objective to offer a truly autonomous FAST Eddy system to clients. Chance Maritime enabled this by developing a rugged, long-endurance USV designed to meet our operational requirements, supported by an industry-leading marine operations team.”