Page 17: of Marine News Magazine (November 2021)

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Q&A ing to the shores of the United States. Since the Cape Wind

Please give an update on Foss’ autonomous project over a decade ago, Foss has worked to ? nd solu- harbor tug project. Why did the company tions for proposed offshore wind projects. Vineyard Wind decide to adopt this novel technology, and will be the ? rst of such projects. And, as Vineyard Wind how do you see the risks and rewards?

WR: While we are not working on a fully autonomous tug, clears many development hurdles, we are excited to see the the systems that Sea Machines are building allow our crews industry as a whole gaining momentum. As a comprehen- to use autonomous features to make their jobs safer. Our sive marine services provider, Foss excels in delivering safe, mariners are the key to our success, and we believe the Sea on-time, and on-budget marine transportation solutions.

Machines products will help them carry out their day to The U.S. offshore wind market offers new opportunities, and Foss intends to continue its track record of being a day operations. Our work toward integrating the autono- quality marine transportation and service provider.

mous controls into our new 90-ton ASD tug Rachael Al- len continues with our partners at Sea Machines, the U.S.

Decarbonization is a hot topic in the maritime

Coast Guard and ABS. As a safety enhancement that in- industry today. Is Foss Maritime currently corporates new and novel technology, we are testing out a looking at alternative fuels, electri? cation or tool to support our crews, which comes from a system pro- other means to reduce the environmental cessing digital information to enhance safety of navigation. footprint of its ? eet? Please explain.

We are excited about the tools this system brings to our mariners in their service of our customers. We will work WR: Foss has always been proud of its commitment to pro- closely with regulatory agencies and third-party auditors to tecting the environment. Foss has been focused on decar- thoroughly vet the system as we continue to move toward bonization and pollution reduction for years. We are willing to take the risks to test out new technology such as when we full operational use of the SM300 on board.

built and operated the world’s ? rst battery electric hybrid tug, the Carolyn Dorothy back in 2010. We then took it

U.S. offshore wind is ramping up in a big a step further and retro? tted a sister vessel, the Campbell way. What are Foss Maritime’s goals as a

Foss, to hybrid operation soon after. As a next step, recently, participant in the emerging sector? Where do we put our class of EPA Tier IV 90-ton escort and assist you see best opportunities for your company, vessels in to service in California and will continue to build and what is it doing to capitalize?

with the cleanest technologies available for our operations.

WR: Foss is thrilled that the offshore wind industry is com- www.marinelink.com MN 17|