Working alongside international partners, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has enabled the operation of an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) carrying out critical offshore inspection work in UK waters.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) recently worked closely with counterparts in the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) to identify a regulatory pathway for the operation of a Norwegian Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) in UK waters.
24-metre vessel Unmanned Surface Vessel Reach Remote 1 has been certified by Norway’s NMA and is taking part in vital inspection work; inspecting offshore gas infrastructure between the UK and Norway. Operated by Norwegian company Reach Subsea AS, the fully autonomous vessel highlights the increased use of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) in offshore operations.
Certified using internationally recognised principles as set out under the International Maritime Organization’s MSC.1/Circ. 1455, which was closely aligned to MCA guidance under Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 664. This avoided unnecessary duplication of checks and streamlined the approval process, while maintaining confidence in both safety and compliance.
Independent verification was carried out by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), which conducted surveys and provided assurance against established standards. The MCA was then able to promptly accept certification and be assured of safe operation in UK waters.
MCA Assistant Director of Technical Operations Prasad Panicker said:
“Requiring careful consideration to ensure compliance with UK requirements, this operation highlights how close alignment and international cooperations between regulators and operators can pave the way for innovation at pace.
“By applying existing frameworks pragmatically and working in step with international partners, the MCA continues to support industry, protect the marine environment, and facilitate operations vital to the UK’s offshore sector.”
Reach Remote Vice President Bjørg Døving said:
“In Reach Subsea, we were keen to see how UK authorities would respond to our application for operation of Reach Remote 1 in UK Territorial Waters.
She added: “We are very pleased with how quickly MCA and NMA worked together to define a pragmatic pathway for the approval, enabling innovation at pace.”
Managing Director of Reach Subsea UK Alastair McKee said:
“For us in the UK, this translates directly into the ability to bring new capability into offshore operations quickly and responsibly. It provides a predictable framework for future uncrewed projects and strengthens our ability to support critical offshore inspection and integrity work for the UK sector.”
The use of uncrewed and autonomous vessels presents a rapidly emerging technological space and developing regulatory landscape, but with effective communication and early identification, maritime agencies and regulators like the MCA can provide swift support and certification.