ROC + DOCK collaboration demonstrates the future of Uncrewed Surface Vessel remote operations

Remote Operations Centre (ROC) using BMT’s REMBRANDT simulation. 

BMT, in collaboration with HydroSurv and South Devon College, is proud to unveil a new innovation in maritime autonomy demonstrated during the ROC + DOCK project. Centred on the integration of BMT’s REMBRANDT platform simulation technology within a Remote Operations Centre (ROC), the project demonstrates how resident, zero-emission USVs can be strategically deployed, navigated and managed from shore, aided through a highly immersive, simulator-led interface. This achievement highlights the strength of industry-academic partnership and marks a significant step towards safer, more sustainable and accessible remote operations across the maritime sector. 

“On-water data collection can achieve extraordinary productivity once vessels are set to work,” said David Hull, Founder & CEO, HydroSurv. “The challenge lies in mobilising crew solely to launch, recover and replenish uncrewed vessels following short-duration voyages. ROC + DOCK addresses this challenge directly by enabling USVs to operate independently from a centralised hub, without the need to send a crew to the worksite. This approach not only reduces cost and decarbonises operations, but provides a blueprint for resident USV networks around the UK coastline.” 

The team demonstrated an integrated end-to-end workflow that could transform how short-range environmental monitoring, inspection and surveillance missions are planned and executed from a centralised facility. A core element of the project was the concept of a dual-purpose ROC, adding simulation and training capabilities into the remote operation space. REMBRANDT offers a high-fidelity synthetic environment for risk-free operator training, mission planning, test and evaluation. The DOCK element of the project is a remotely monitored docking station, from which the USV can be deployed and recovered, providing a secure dock area and an on-the-water, solar-powered charging hub. This concept would allow multiple missions for short-range environmental monitoring, inspection and surveillance without human intervention or recovery to shore, significantly increasing useability of the platform and shortening response time. 

Demonstration day at South Devon College Marine Academy the USV connected to the dock to charge. 

Will Alexander, Head of Maritime Autonomous Systems at BMT.  

“This project has been an excellent opportunity to collaborate with leaders in maritime autonomy and training and make significant progress towards safe and sustainable remote operations. It demonstrates the adaptability and versatility of BMT’s REMBRANDT high-fidelity synthetic environment and how simulation will play an increasingly important role in the development and safe operation of autonomous systems”. 

Jesse Loynes, Maritime Autonomous Systems Consultant, BMT.

“It’s been a pleasure being part of the ROC+DOCK team. The project represents another step forward in the use of simulation to develop a specialist tool for training, trial and evaluation of remote operations. A highly successful case study in the use of REMBRANDT as a ROC simulation tool to enhance capabilities to the training facility and USV docking system.”  

The ROC capability enables operator training in a virtual environment that precisely replicates the vessel’s handling characteristics, before transitioning to live control. Advancing the development of Remote Operations Centres, it provides a workforce training solution to support the transformation required to deliver maritime operations into the future.   

Paul Singer, Business and Qualification Development Coordinator at South Devon College Marine Academy highlighted this;

“Applied, hands-on learning is central to our ethos, and ROC + DOCK exemplifies how technology can be harnessed to reduce risk, improve accessibility, and prepare the workforce for the evolving demands of autonomy in maritime industries. It’s a proud moment for the College and a clear signal of where our maritime education and skills delivery is heading”.

Chris Marshall, the Monitoring Officer from Innovate UK:

“ROC + DOCK feels both highly successful and very promising, what stands out is the quality of collaboration between a commercial company and an academic institution not just as partners, but in a way that delivers real outcomes for both. South Devon College has taken its existing BMT REMBRANDT system and, through this project, created a whole new line of activity for training and education in remote vessel operations. That’s unusual and valuable. It shows how technology can open opportunities, not take them away – making maritime operations safer, less physically demanding, and more accessible for the workforce of the future.”

Building on the success of this project, BMT will continue to drive development with the launch of its Remote Operating Centre Simulator (ROC-Sim) in the new year, part of the significant investment into the new Digital Innovation and Simulation Centre (DISC) in Whiteley, Fareham. The ROC-Sim will bring new capabilities to the market with the ability to simulate multi-USV and hybrid crewed/uncrewed fleet operations in an open architecture networked simulation environment. This will be invaluable for development and testing of new concepts of operation, mission planning and for training. A dedicated training space for the development of knowledge and skills at both the operator and management levels of operation. ROC-Sim will deliver an unmatched enabling resource to help advance the wider maritime autonomy commercial, military and scientific sectors with assurance, test and evaluation and training.