Lloyd’s Register has certified one of the first uncrewed vessels to achieve full compliance to the updated Workboat Code 3 framework to regulate the design and operation of ROVs in UK waters.
Developed and operated by Xocean, which is based in Ireland, the X-30 has been designed for uncrewed survey operations for offshore energy and environmental survey and mapping projects.
Certification and regulation are challenges in this fledgling market, with panellists from Fugro, RWE Renewables, Lloyd’s Register and IMCA discussing the challenges at the recent Oceanology International conference, and as Lloyd’s Register confirms, just a small number of vessels have so far completed the process.
The X-30 has now been certified to the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Workboat Code Edition 3 (WBC3), including the Annex 2 requirements for ROUVs.
“Securing WBC3 certification for X-30 is an important step forward for our fleet and for the wider uncrewed vessel industry,” said Shep Smith, chief technical officer at Xocean. “The collaboration with Lloyd’s Register has shown that robust, safety-led certification is possible, paving the way for wider adoption of uncrewed technology in support of sustainable offshore operations.”
“Certification of X-30 is a major achievement for Xocean and one that we’re proud to have supported. Alongside recent steps forward in the industry, this further demonstrates that certification of small, complex ROUVs under WBC3 is achievable when developers, certifying authorities and the MCA work in close partnership,” said Jordan McRuvie, specialist - Unmanned Marine Systems at Lloyd’s Register.
“This project shows how technical innovation can align with regulatory assurance for the safe introduction of uncrewed systems in real-world operations, and we look forward to continuing to support current and future partners with their certification journeys.”
