Metal Cut on World's First Unmanned Fast Rescue Craft

Coastal Workboats has announced a new partnership with Scottish Search and Rescue technology innovator, Zelim. Metal was recently cut for Zelim’s first ‘Guardian Class’ Fast Rescue Craft vessel at Coastal Workboats’ Devon yard.

As a first of its kind, the 8m ‘Guardian Class’ combines Zelim’s innovative Swift Rescue Conveyor with a Fast Rescue Craft that has unmanned operation capability. The two companies signed contracts for the build of the aluminum prototype at the end of 2022.

Time is arguably the most critical factor in successful search and rescue operations. The need to reach the incident location then spot and recover casualties as fast as possible is paramount. Guardian is designed for speed and incorporates Zelim’s two-step recovery system. The system’s real time, AI-based casualty detection can spot and track multiple casualties in the water in all conditions. Once survivors are detected, Zelim’s Swift Rescue Conveyor can recover casualties from the water in a matter of seconds. The technology was trialed and successfully demonstrated to offshore wind industry stakeholders at Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm, off the coast of Grimsby, in May 2022.

Guardian will feature remote command and control capability, making it the world’s first uncrewed rescue vessel. The design is aimed at providing enhanced capability to respond to person overboard incidents and close standby cover for offshore operations. Deploying from a larger vessel offshore, Guardian will be first to arrive on scene to recover casualties and bring them back to the safety of the parent vessel. The technology has already garnered interest from the offshore energy sector, however, could revolutionize emergency response across the maritime industry. This is largely due to the vessel’s capability to respond in conditions usually deemed too dangerous for crewed Fast Rescue Craft.

(Left to right) Coastal Workboats’ Brian & Julie Pogson with Zelim’s Doug Lothian and Sam Mayall. Credit Ben Sunderland/Forss Creative

For Coastal Workboats Director, Brian Pogson, the partnership marks a major step forward in marine safety, with the potential to significantly remap search and rescue possibilities.

“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with a company that shares our focus on finding safe, robust ways for technology and innovation to pave the way for a better, safer future at sea. It’s an exciting time to be exploring the possibilities of what our ever-evolving technology offers, and we’re committed to ensuring that it is used to improve and safeguard our industry’s future.”

Sam Mayall, Zelim CEO, recognizes the importance of partnering with UK companies as his team continues to help secure the UK’s reputation as a global leader in innovative maritime safety.

“When bringing ground-breaking technology to market you need partners who share your vision. We are thrilled that Coastal Workboats is on the journey with us. It’s very important for us that our vessel is built here in the UK. Shipbuilding in this country has faced challenging times over the past few decades but the UK still produces fantastic vessels including the lifeboats which protect our shores. We want that to continue.”

Andy Page of Chartwell Marine, the naval architects behind Guardian, said: “We are very proud to see the first Guardian Class vessel go into construction. It is satisfying to be working on this advanced lifesaving platform with likeminded people such as the teams at Zelim and Coastal Workboats. We look forward to sea trials later this year!”

Guardian is scheduled for completion early this year. On leaving the yard the vessel will undergo extensive sea trials before appearing at various industry events later in 2023.