Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore has awarded an Approval in Principle certificate for the design of OceanAlpha’s L42B uncrewed surface vessel, validating the autonomous platform for offshore hydrographic and geophysical survey duties.
Issued on 31 July 2026, the AiP followed an engineering assessment conducted against BV’s NI 641 guidelines for autonomous shipping. Bureau Veritas evaluated the vessel’s general arrangement, communications and control architecture, and defined operating scenarios, concluding that the proposed design aligned with applicable rules within the scope of the review. The certification covers specific operating conditions and incorporates technical recommendations to support ongoing engineering development.
The operational profile evaluated during the approval process encompasses complex harbour manoeuvring, including docking and undocking, alongside transit and data collection in open-sea environments.
Throughout these phases, the vessel relies on continuous operator supervision and remote control executed from either a shore-based facility or an accompanying support ship. Redundant communication links allow remote personnel to oversee navigation systems and intervene when necessary, a framework intended to improve operational flexibility while reducing the exposure of personnel during offshore campaigns.
The L42B is constructed as an 8.51-metre aluminium catamaran powered by a hybrid arrangement of diesel generators, electric propulsion, and lithium iron phosphate batteries. Under still-water conditions operating at four knots, the vessel provides an operational endurance of up to eight days and a stated maximum range of 1,500 kilometres. Its modular payload deck can host geophysical survey suites, including multibeam echo sounders, side-scan sonars, and magnetometers configured for seabed mapping, pipeline inspections, and environmental baseline monitoring.
The formal certificate presentation took place on 16 October 2026, attended by Mr. Maciej Lepicki, Greater China Vice President of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, and Mr. Pinestone Shi, General Manager of OceanAlpha.
Mr.Pinestone Shi, General Manager of OceanAlpha, stated, “Receiving AiP from Bureau Veritas is a remarkable milestone in the development of the L42B. The independent review provides valuable technical feedback as we continue to refine the vessel’s design and remote-operation capabilities. Our focus remains on delivering reliable, practical USV products and solutions for marine survey customers worldwide.”
