Page 39: of Marine News Magazine (October 2014)

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to security sweeps at waterside instal- lations.” Specialist military PWC can be used in overt or covert trim for sur- veillance and other specialist roles.’

Maritime Applied Physics Cor- poration (MAPC) is offering the

Greenough Advanced Rescue Craft (GARC) as a multi-role craft. At 12 feet 8” (3.8 metre) the boat needs only 16” (40cm) of water to operate.

The GARC is based on a rescue boat hull designed by George Greenough, an Australian designer best known for his innovative surfboard designs.

Ongoing developments have led to a rugged, stable, jet powered vessel which can be launched in breaking surf or dropped from an airplane. The open transom and stern tongue allow rescues without lifting the casualty.

Mark Rice, founder and president of MAPC, says, “This design has a proven track record in the surf and the ability to air drop the vessel provides a unique capability to deliver both manned and un-manned versions to a rescue site.”

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) now perform numerous roles around the world. Unmanned Surface Ve- hicles (USV) and robotic systems for marine operations, including launch and recovery, are developing rapidly.

However a major obstacle to over- come is re-interpretation of the Inter- national Regulations for Preventing

Collisions at Sea regarding keeping a lookout. Small craft are likely to be the fi rst viable unmanned platforms in regular use around other vessels. Pro- fessional sector boat builders who cur- rently offer propulsion and electronics options will offer craft with the option of ‘manned or un-manned’. Extreme applications that may drive demand for this next generation of small USVs include the 3Ds – tasks that are Dark,

Dirty and Dangerous. And, innova- tion will be the key.

SPECIALTY WORKBOATS

John Haynes, AFNI, is a Yachtmaster

Ocean and Advanced Powerboat Instructor.

Subject matter expertise includes high speed craft consultancy, product development and specialist training. He is Operations

Director of Shock Mitigation and founder of the RIB & High Speed Craft Directory that brings together specialist boats and equipment for the professional sector. www.marinelink.com MN 39

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