‘Safe and evidence-led’: New guidance for smaller Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels
31 December 2024
The UK Government has today (31 December 2024) published new guidance for the safe and responsible operation of smaller Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels (ROUVs).
The guidance has been developed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in collaboration with industry stakeholders, and is designed to help operators understand the risks associated with operating ROUVs, and to take appropriate steps to mitigate those risks.
ROUVs are becoming increasingly popular for a variety of purposes, including underwater inspection, maintenance, and repair. However, there is currently no specific regulatory framework for the operation of ROUVs in the UK.
The new guidance provides a set of voluntary standards that operators can follow to ensure that their ROUVs are operated safely and responsibly. The guidance covers a range of topics, including:
- Design and construction: ROUVs should be designed and constructed to be safe and reliable, and should be able to withstand the conditions in which they will be operated.
- Operation: ROUVs should be operated by competent and experienced personnel, and should be equipped with appropriate safety features.
- Maintenance: ROUVs should be regularly maintained to ensure that they are in good working order.
- Emergency procedures: Operators should have in place emergency procedures to deal with any incidents that may occur.
The guidance also includes a number of case studies of ROUV operations, which provide practical examples of how the guidance can be applied in real-world situations.
The Maritime Minister, Nusrat Ghani MP, said:
“The UK is a world leader in the development and use of maritime technology, and we are committed to ensuring that this technology is used safely and responsibly.
“This new guidance will help operators of smaller ROUVs to understand the risks associated with their operations, and to take appropriate steps to mitigate those risks.
“I encourage all operators of ROUVs to read and follow this guidance, to ensure that they are operating their vessels safely and responsibly.”
The MCA’s Director of Maritime Safety, Richard Pellew, said:
“ROUVs are becoming increasingly popular for a variety of purposes, and it is important that we have clear and concise guidance in place to ensure that they are operated safely and responsibly.
“This new guidance has been developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders, and I am confident that it will be a valuable resource for operators of ROUVs.”
The guidance is available to download from the MCA website:
‘Safe and evidence-led’: New guidance for smaller Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels
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