The new policy, detailed in Plymouth Local Notice to Mariners 063/25, follows the designation of Plymouth as the UK national center for marine autonomy and National Defense Growth Area under the UK Defense Industrial Strategy. It establishes multiple new operating areas specifically for UMS activities within the Dockyard Port of Plymouth (DPoP), providing structured access to water space for the growing marine autonomy sector.
This represents a unique advancement in UK maritime management, with few other comparable designated UMS operating areas established by other UK port or harbor authorities.
KHM’s policy and expanded permittable water space, combined with clear operational rules and a formal registration process, affirms Plymouth’s position at the forefront of marine autonomy in the UK. All UMS operating within the DPoP will be required to register under the new framework.
PML’s Pioneer vessel, an Autonaut autonomous surface vessel (ASV), has the distinction of being the first vessel registered, enabling access to the newly defined operating areas and, in turn, supporting PML’s ongoing marine research and technology development programs. This includes PML’s Smart Sound Plymouth platform, which is being developed as the UK’s premier proving area for innovative marine technology development and the designing, testing, and developing of cutting-edge products and services for the marine sector.
The PML Pioneer is part of an integrated fleet of autonomous surface and sub-surface vessels and advanced data buoys, which comprise Smart Sound and support the Western Channel Observatory (the time series in the Western English Channel), which is deploying advanced coastal autonomy for scientific research.
Professor James Fishwick, Smart Sound Plymouth’s Head of Innovation, said: “This forward-thinking policy expands operational water space whilst maintaining safe navigation, enabling more organizations to conduct autonomous vessel and marine tech trials in Plymouth. This will support the wider marine technology community working through Smart Sound Plymouth, accelerating research and innovation in areas such as defense and the offshore sector. Combined with our recent designation as the UK’s National Centre for Marine Autonomy, this firmly establishes Plymouth as the premier destination for autonomous and advanced marine technology development in the country.”
Andrew Jones, Deputy King’s Harbor Master, said: “This policy extends the work the KHM team has been working on for many years. KHM’s close ties with the UMS commercial sector here in Plymouth put the Dockyard Port of Plymouth at the forefront of advanced marine technology. KHM will continue to support this work wherever possible.”
Sam Fawcett, Smart Sound Plymouth’s Head of Commercial, added: “Previously, finding suitable water space for autonomous vessel operations required complex, case-by-case coordination. These new designated areas provide clarity, predictability, and crucially, more space for multiple users to operate simultaneously. “
The King’s Harbor Master’s UMS policy applies to all Unmanned Marine System activity—military, commercial, and leisure, surface and subsea—conducted within the port limits of the Dockyard Port of Plymouth. Details of the new operating areas and registration requirements can be accessed on the KHM Plymouth website via https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/khm/plymouth/safety-and-regulations/safety-policies-and-codes.
