PLNTM 008_25 UNCREWED REMOTE AND AUTONOMOUS VESSELS INFO

PLYMOUTH LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS 008/25

UNCREWED, REMOTE & AUTONOMOUS VESSELS - INFORMATION

1.         This notice is for information from the King’s Harbour Master (KHM) Plymouth pursuant to the Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 2020.

2.         Uncrewed surface and underwater remotely operated and autonomous vessels are regularly operated within the Dockyard Port of Plymouth (DPOP). The following acronyms are commonly used as identifiers:

USV: Uncrewed Surface Vessel

AUV: Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

UUV: Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle

ROV: Remotely Operated Vehicle

3.         Two designated areas are identified for trials and have been risk assessed by KHM Plymouth’s Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS); Cawsand Bay and South of the Breakwater (see Annex A). However, trials outside these areas may be conducted, subject to KHM approval.

4.         Within the DPOP Remote/Autonomous vessels are required to be escorted by a support vessel, at all times. Vessels/platforms will normally be towed or tethered to the designated trials areas. A support vessel will remain in close proximity to the trials vessel, where appropriate, show signals as required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS / ColRegs) and will monitor VHF Channel 14 throughout. The support vessel may approach other vessels to alert them to the presence of the trials vessel/platform.

5.         Mariners encountering an unmanned vessel are requested to pass at a safe distance and to minimise wash.  

6.         A separate PLNTM may be issued for any trials outside the above areas or those of a particular sensitive nature or requiring specific additional safety measures.