The Bluebottle Hybrid uses the same hull as the current 24-foot renewable energy-powered Bluebottle, enabling the hybrid vessels to use the same logistics and trailers but carry both diesel power and our unique keel winch for storing and deploying thin line arrays.

Former Chief of the Australian Defense Force, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Mark Binskin AC, christened one of the landmark 24-foot Bluebottle Hybrid vessels, named BINNY, in his honor. At the christening, he noted that Ocius has now expanded the capability it provides to navies worldwide.

“The christening of the Bluebottle Hybrid opens up important new regions and climates where the Bluebottle can operate and where recent events have shown a growing threat.”

“With a focus on meeting customer needs, Ocius continues to be powered by innovation and improvement. Today, Ocius provides critical operational capability to the RAN and partners.”

CEO Robert Dane noted: “A small generator with 400 liters of diesel provides enormous additional energy to complement our batteries and power from solar, wind, and wave sources and enables Bluebottles to support persistent operations in new geographies globally. The Bluebottle Hybrids can deploy sonar arrays to varying depths, and do surface ISR and hydrography at high latitudes in winter where there may be little or no sun.”

A second Bluebottle Hybrid named BUTCH was christened by Graeme ‘Butch’ Johnston. Graeme ‘Butch’ Johnston is a long-time friend of Ocius CEO and founder Robert Dane, and closely supported early prototypes of the technology that underpin Ocius’ Bluebottles.

ACM (Retd) Binskin is the Ocius Defense and National Security Advisor.