#San Diego #US #Seasats #Lightfish #Autonomous Vessel

Seasats' Historic Trans-Pacific Journey: A New Era for Maritime Operations

In a groundbreaking achievement for autonomous technology and maritime operations, Seasats, a pioneering company in autonomous maritime systems, has successfully completed a trans-Pacific voyage of over 7,500 miles with its autonomous surface vessel (ASV) named Lightfish. Departing from San Diego, California, the vessel made its way to Japan over the course of 150 days, showcasing not only its fighting capabilities but also a significant advancement in operational logistics within the industry.

The Journey

The Lightfish, a 12-foot-long and 350-pound solar-powered ASV, has been utilized by commercial clients and military groups since early 2023. This particular mission was remarkable not only due to the distance traveled but also for the advanced technology utilized. The vessel made stops including Hawaii—where it conducted demonstrations—and it provided live feeds of its journey, with real-time data available to the public. The tracking page displayed health metrics of the ASV, surrounding traffic via AIS, and even live videos of aquatic life swimming alongside it.

Max Kramers, co-founder of Seasats, emphasized the significance of making real-time data public to break the trend of mere presentations and theoretical discussions in the industry. He stated, "In this industry there's a lot of talk. We went with a public tracking page because we wanted to show real data instead of just PowerPoints."

Enhanced Operational Capabilities

The implications of this journey extend beyond mere distance. The ability to hand-launch the vessel from a beach and manage its navigation from thousands of miles away signifies a transformative change for maritime operations. Mike Flanigan, CEO and co-founder of Seasats, remarked that no other unmanned surface vehicle (USV) on the market today could achieve such capabilities. In a rapidly evolving industry where the demand for low-cost yet highly capable unmanned systems is on the rise, Seasats is etching its name into the annals of maritime history.

The recent announcement by the Secretary of Defense regarding the modernization of low-cost drones speaks volumes about the direction this technology is heading. Flanigan noted, "Since we launched the Lightfish two and a half years ago, we've been quietly building a track record through real-world customer operations. This mission just isn't possible with any other USV on the market right now."

Diverse Applications

The Lightfish has already proven its versatility, being utilized for everything from defense operations—such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)—to commercial applications including wildlife monitoring, harmful algal bloom tracking, and bathymetric mapping of channels. With its compact size allowing it to be rapidly launched from vehicles like pickup trucks, there's little doubt the Lightfish can be adapted to meet a range of needs across various sectors.

Seasats has marked a significant milestone by operating the Lightfish on every inhabited continent earlier this year. The company services a diverse client base, including groups from the U.S. Navy and numerous research institutions.

A Vision for the Future

Dylan Rodriguez, Seasats CTO and co-founder, expressed pride in the milestone achieved, while also conveying the company's vision for the future. "We want to make this type of mission a routine event. We've got excited customers, we're scaling rapidly, and soon we'll have vessels continuously navigating the oceans around the world."

Seasats clearly stands at the forefront of technological innovation within the maritime sector. As the company's autonomous vessels continue to push the envelope, it's apparent a new chapter in maritime operations has begun. With ongoing advancements and wider adoption, the potential for autonomous surface vessels to change our approach to oceanic exploration, national defense, and scientific research is limitless.

For more information about Seasats and their groundbreaking technology, visit their official website at www.seasats.com.