Sailbuoy becomes the ‘first’ autonomous vessel to cross the Atlantic

A small autonomous vessel launched by a Norwegian company called Offshore Sensing has crossed the Atlantic, sailing from Newfoundland in Canada to north Ireland.

It is claimed that this is the first Atlantic crossing made by an autonomous vessel.

Offshore Sensing says the vessel, called Sailbuoy Met, was designed and “field proven” to stay at sea for months.

It navigates the oceans autonomously – transmitting back data at regular intervals. 

The Sailbuoy can be used for a wide variety of ocean applications. From measuring ocean and atmospheric parameters to tracking oil spills or acting as a communication relay station for subsea instrumentation.

Anyone interested can follow the Sailbuoy and update tracks in real-time from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Sailbuoy’s journey is believed to be first Atlantic crossing by an unmanned surface vehicle.

“The SB Met has made it across and we are very proud of her,” says the company on its website. “She is the first ever unmanned surface vehicle to complete an Atlantic crossing.

“After 80 days at sea she has finally arrived at the finish line. Deployed in Newfoundland, she has travelled to Ireland sailing a total of 5,100 km to cover the 3,000 km stretch.”

The Marine Institute’s Centre for Applied Ocean Technology in Newfoundland was instrumental in the vessel’s achievement.

Now, having crossed the Atlantic the SB Met is now continuing on to Norway, another 1,300 km, says the company.