Un-crewed vessels off the Scillys.

 

In action this week, remotely controlled vessels better known as, X-24 Uncrewed, 

and X-15 Uncrewed have been sailing from from Hugh Town on the Scillys. X-24 is currently (Wednesday midday) some 18 miles WSW of the islands. She is one of a fleet of remotely operated vessels run by XOcean - the world's largest operator of survey class USVs.

This illustration from the XOCEAN website is possibly a clue as to the purpose of the voyage off the Scillys.

Although the vessels are unmanned, they are managed throughout each 24hour operation, piloted remotely using 360° cameras and are equipped with other navigational aids/markings, including AIS, navigation lights & sound signal, active radar reflector, superstructure painted yellow.

In December last year, the Crown Estate set out its plans for investment in a huge wind farm project off the coast of South Wales and in the Western Approaches.

'Floating wind farms are set to power more than 4 million homes, bringing jobs and skills in exciting new chapter for UK offshore renewable industry' according to the Crown Estate's own website.

Newlyn Harbour has a vested interest in any offshore developments in the waters off Cornwall especially with regard to the plans to develop deepwater berthing and shoreside service industry potential at Sandy Cove. The harbour is looking to increase its ability to handle the more modern and larger vessels that are increasingly using the port to land fish, allow crew changes and access local services.