Autonomous Surface Vehicles for Arctic Data Collection

The work on which this paper is based is field data and pilot testing results of variable payloads on Autonomous Surface Vehicles or Unmanned Surface Vehicles (ASVs/USVs), operating in variable industrial environments. Original field data from Multibeam echo sounder, Gyro, Motion Sensor, USBL Sonar, Passive Acoustic Monitoring for marine mammals, and ADCP data collection for ocean currents are all used to illustrate the ASV as a remote data collection platform for remote environments. By employing diesel electric propulsion and payload power strategies, the systems reviewed in this paper are capable of operation and station keeping in up to 6 knot currents, and do not require sun illumination for solar power, or favorable wind and/or sea conditions for propulsion.