UNCREWED SURFACE VESSEL TRIALS 1 FEBRUARY – 31 DECEMBER 2026

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the King’s Harbour Master that Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) trials will be conducted in the Hill Head and Roway Wreck area during the period 1 February to 31 December 2026.

2. The USV, K3 SCOUT and/or K5 SCOUT, will be accompanied by the 8m RIB FEARLESS or 10.5m vessel OZ which will act as safety/support vessels. The trial staff operators will be embarked either on the support vessel or land station and will intervene if necessary. The USV may, on occasion, have personnel embarked.

3. The USV will operate in remote/autonomous mode between 0800 and 1700 each day. Where possible, the USV will maintain a minimum 200-metre separation from other craft, and trial runs will be modified or aborted if a close-quarters situation is developing.

4. The assigned safety vessel will be listening on VHF Ch 11,12 and 16. 

5. All trial vessels will obey the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth Order 2005 and International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) at all times. 

6. Cancel this LNTM on 31 December 2026.