Al Marakeb Boat Manufacturing Company’s quest to bring crewless ships to sea is charging ahead after its autonomous conversion kit, the MAP Pro device, was integrated to cleaning vessels for an environmental initiative undertaken by the UAE government.
The seven-meter catamarans feature interchangeable deck configurations permitting a variety of cleaning functions. The cleaning vessel is built with a hydraulic enabled wire-mesh basket which scoops debris from the water, and into a central holding bin that is removed and emptied upon route completion. Its dual hull structure provides stability while other notable features include its short draft allowing for effective handling and maneuverability in shallow waters. To maximize its utility, the catamaran’s voyage is controlled via the MAP Pro device and the route is designed with multiple way-points and speed configurations which are operated and monitored from an on-shore control station.
Al Marakeb made waves in the maritime market, when it launched the first of its kind USV conversion device, MAP Pro, at the 2016 METSTRADE exhibition in the Netherlands. The highly advanced system is touted to be a pioneer of unmanned technology providing the ability to autonomously control any maritime vessel.
The Director of Operations, Nour Al Sayyed said in a statement, “Driverless technology and unmanned vehicles have become today’s reality around the world. With the recent announcements of autonomous car initiatives in the UAE, the consumer market in the region is also adapting focus towards the development of technology in this field”.
From cleaning boats to transportation and coastal surveillance, the USV manufacturer is currently taking on projects in the GCC, Europe and South East Asia.
For more information, visit www.map-tech.com or email info@almarakeb.net
Comments