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these limitations in mind. The solar cell area required oceanographic and climate data gathering and research. Following the year-long testing phase, the planned At- for effective motoring is too large for ef? cient sailing The vessel is intended to house one or more modular lantic crossing in 2020 will mark the 400th anniversary and safety in large waves. To overcome this, the design payload bays, much like a Space Shuttle, which will of the original May? ower sailings from Plymouth, will likely include a folding wing system to increase the allow for ? exibility on what research can be conducted England to Plymouth, Massachusetts.

solar cell area by 40% in calm conditions. into the future. “If we can deliver the May? ower Autonomous Re-

The trimaran hull con? guration was designed to ac- search vessel, and obtain the various permissions re- count for a low motoring speed and reduce wind. With- PROPELLING FORWARD quired to have it sail across the Atlantic, then we will out the need for accommodation, the center hull has “There are a number of ? nancial, technological and have a lasting legacy for the shipping sector. We are been kept low to the water and the wings and deck are regulatory hurdles that we will need to be cleared. At hoping to play a vital role in the introduction, manage- separated and raised above on struts. This allows waves this stage, it is an aspiration not a realization,” said Pro- ment, de-risking and technological advancement in use to break through the vessel and signi? cantly reduces fessor Martin Attrill, Director of the Plymouth Univer- of unmanned and automated systems,” said Jones roll induced by wave impact. The outer hulls are de- sity Marine Institute. “We are adopting an aggressive The project is part of the University’s ‘Shape the Fu- signed to skim the water reducing resistance by 8%. rapid prototyping program. And we’ll work with lead- ture’ fundraising campaign, recently launched at the “From a technical standpoint of a different nature, ing technology companies in the defense and civilian House of Lords. Initial funding has been provided by how do we help start that debate over regulatory is- marine sector to integrate commercial and existing be- the University, MSubs, and the ProMare Foundation, sues?,” asked Phaneuf. “We can put a rover on Mars spoke technology solutions from other areas of R&D.” and corporate and private sponsorship will be sought and have it autonomously conduct research, but we The group are working towards readying a model in for ongoing support.

can’t yet sail an unmanned vessel across the Atlantic spring/summer of 2016. There will be a testing phase,

Ocean.” with some of that taking place in the Plymouth Univer-

MARS will conduct wide ranging meteorological, sity Marine Building, using its cutting edge wave tanks. By Kira Coley a wholly-owned subsidiary of Steel Dynamics, Inc.

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Website: www.swvainc.com www.marinelink.com 135

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