The battery-hybrid REAV-47 will be integrated with an advanced payload consisting of a Ping DSP 3DSS-IDX interferometric sonar alongside Innomar’s Compact Parametric Sub-Bottom Profiler. This payload configuration will enable concurrent wide-swath bathymetric mapping and high-resolution sub-bottom imaging for comprehensive landfall survey capability on offshore infrastructure projects.
“GOSL Nigeria Limited is proud to be associated with HydroSurv for this milestone achievement in the deployment of the REAV 47 USV, which will help revolutionize the way hydrographic surveys are being conducted within Nigeria and, indeed, West Africa,” said Emanuel Ekpeyong, Managing Director, GOSL Nigeria Limited.
“USVs are the way of the future as they help reduce human and carbon footprints and guarantee efficient seabed mapping, delivering project objectives in record time at a minimal cost.”
GOSL will operate the multipurpose REAV-47 USV as a standalone survey system and as a mothership force multiplier. As a new product introduced into HydroSurv’s portfolio in 2024, the design is an evolution of the company’s existing seagoing USV platform. The vessel can sustain survey operations for up to 72 hours with a battery-hybrid system consisting of a 12 kW Mastervolt battery system and a 4 kW Fischer Panda generator.
The REAV-47 uses HydroSurv’s advanced Virtual Watchkeeper Vessel Control System, alongside trusted autopilot technology from Dynautics and an advanced navigation and situational awareness spread from Furuno and TimeZero. The vessel’s 5.0 kW rim-driven electric propulsion from RDT minimizes entanglement risk whilst delivering exceptional performance.
“We are proud to be partnering with GOSL as our first customer in the region,” said David Hull, CEO of HydroSurv. “The REAV-47 is a versatile, commercial-duty mid-size USV, ideally suited to support the integration of both the Ping DSP and Innomar sub-bottom profiling systems. We look forward to collaborating closely with GOSL’s highly experienced survey team to maximize the platform’s capabilities across a range of operational applications.”
GOSL will station the new USV at the company’s operating base in Port Harcourt. The company’s experienced survey team have extensively delivered survey projects for ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron and Total Energies.
In addition to the REAV-47, GOSL has also acquired a REAV-28 Inland Multi-Purpose USV. This smaller, battery-electric vessel complements the longer-endurance capabilities of the REAV-47, enabling a flexible and efficient survey solution across diverse environments—from agile inland and sheltered water operations to more demanding coastal and landfall missions.
