Pioneering success for unmanned vessel mission

Acua Ocean developed Pioneer, a remotely operated vessel powered by hydrogen

A remote hydrogen-powered controlled vessel has completed a mission which its developers have called "a breakthrough" for the maritime sector.

Plymouth-based Acua Ocean has developed the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) which it said had successfully carried out a 24-hour operation with zero emissions.

The company's chief product officer John Hunnibell said the Pioneer craft was an important step towards making maritime operations more environmentally friendly. by producing less carbon.

Pioneer had been awarded the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Workboat Code certificate which is a world-first approval for this type of vessel, he added.

The USV was operated remotely from the company's headquarters in Turnchapel

During the mission 12 miles (19km) off the coast, Pioneer's autonomous systems, stability and performance were continuously monitored from the firm's headquarters in Turnchapel.

"There is not a small element of pride in this," Mr Hunnibell said.

"For us, a small start-up, to have a world-first like that is remarkable."