Diverse Marine and Nauticus Robotics enter agreement to develop and build Hydronaut

13 June 2022

Cowes, UK (13-06-22) – Diverse Marine is proud to announce its agreement with Nauticus Robotics, a Houston-area developer of offshore subsea and surface robots and autonomy software, to construct the initial production run of the Hydronaut for its Nauticus Fleet, a robotic navy with 20 Hydronaut vessels. Production and delivery of the first two vessels is scheduled for Q1 2023, with the remainder being fulfilled by the end of 2024. 


The announcement follows 18 months of close collaboration between Diverse Marine and Nauticus to bring the project to fruition. Diverse Marine has the infrastructure and partnerships to build Hydronauts worldwide, including Jones Act compliant builds with its USA-based shipyard partners.


“We are delighted to have signed an agreement with Nauticus for the development and construction of Hydronaut for the Nauticus Fleet,” said Ben Colman, Director of Diverse Marine. “This is an exciting milestone in the development of our business and the start of a productive relationship with Nauticus.”


The 18m vessel’s primary objective is to support the launch, recovery and real time operations of Aquanaut, its undersea robotic counterpart. Hydronaut ferries Aquanaut to and from the worksite and supports battery recharges as well as the communications link from the local remote operations center for supervised autonomous operations. Nauticus’ Houston-based global remote operations center provides additional technical and operational support. 


The 18-meter Hydronaut features: 

 • Aluminum hull, deck, and wheelhouse designed by Global Marine Design of Australia, working closely with the yard and client to guarantee all aspects of the vessels’ operational capability.

 • Propulsion provided by Volvo Penta’s IPS1050 in twin configurations that meet the passage speed requirements of 18 knots and match perfectly to the slow running speeds required while working with Aquanaut. 

 • Proprietary Guardian Autonomy hardware and software provided by Marine AI. 

 • Sophisticated and comprehensive navigation and communications suite provided by Boat Electrics & Electronics. 

 • A SMART-Gyro roll dampening device is being supplied by Golden Arrow.


Other systems of note are autonomous through hull deployment of transducers and acoustic communication systems, a Kongsberg LARS Aquanuat launching system and MLC compliant sleeping and mess areas when optionally manned. The vessel will be classed with Bureau Veritas and initially flagged to MCA Workboat Code.


Nauticus’ Aquanaut is a fully electric, free-swimming subsea robot controlled with acoustic communication networking, capable of performing a wide range of data collection, inspection, and manipulation tasks. Aquanaut’s defining capability is operating in two separate modes: actively transforming itself between the excursion and intervention configurations. Excursion mode involves the usage of data collection and perception sensors during transit, while intervention mode uses two electric work-class manipulators (Nauticus’s Olympic Arms) to perform work in the subsea environment.


Diverse Marine Contact

Ben Colman, Diverse Marine Ltd.

bencolman@diversemarine.co.uk

+44 (0)1983 300656


Nauticus Contact 

Todd Newell, Nauticus Robotics Inc.

tnewell@nauticusrobotics.com

+1 (281) 942-9069

Diverse Marine and OEG Marine Services extend partnership with three further CTVs

20 October 2026
23-09-26 Hamburg, WindEnergy 2026

50 Vessels. One Diverse Marine.

3 October 2026
Diverse Marine is celebrating a significant milestone in its story, marking 50 vessels with a rather different viewpoint. From crew transfer vessels and lifeboats to daughter craft, specialist workboats and high-speed passenger vessels, the first 50 vessels represent the breadth of work undertaken by Diverse Marine and the expertise of the team behind them. Built in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, Diverse Marine vessels are now working across offshore energy, search and rescue, commercial marine and passenger operations around the world. Built by a team Every vessel begins with a different requirement. Some are designed to transfer technicians safely and efficiently to offshore wind farms. Others support search and rescue operations, carry passengers or undertake specialist work in demanding environments. Behind each one is the same combination of naval architecture, engineering, fabrication and craftsmanship, together with close collaboration between Diverse Marine, its clients, designers, suppliers and partners. Reaching 50 vessels is therefore about rather more than a number. It is a reflection of the people who have designed, built and delivered them. Celebrating a little differently To mark the milestone, Diverse Marine decided that the usual photograph at the shipyard gates was not quite enough. So, with FARRA ERIU providing the backdrop to the celebration, the team took to the water – and the skies – above the Isle of Wight.

NR Marine Services commissions Chartwell Marine to bring a new legacy turbine vessel to the market

11 June 2025
Southampton, 17th June 2025 — NR Marine Services is excited to announce that it has commissioned Chartwell Marine, a trusted pioneer of next-generation vessel design, to design a new CTV in response to client requests for a new class of vessel that is capable of supporting older generation assets, now referred to as legacy turbines, but utilising modern construction and outfit technology to maximise vessel fuel efficiency and technician comfort. It has been a generation since UK based Naval Architects and Shipyards designed a sub 22m, sub 60 tonne, sub 3m bow height crew transfer vessel. Chartwell Marine has developed the ‘Defiant Class”, a 20m CTV designed to Workboat Code Edition 3 with IMO Tier 3 compliance featuring a step free flush forward deck, resiliently mounted superstructure and modern furnishings and materials used in larger CTVs. This is a bold, DEFIANT step to do different, to create a new class of smaller CTV required for legacy turbines whilst not losing the core identity of modern UK designed, UK built and UK operated CTVs. DEFIANT in compliance, this new class of CTV will comply with Workboat Code Edition 3, IMO Tier 3 and the spirit and core fundamentals of HS_OSC – albeit in a more cost-effective approach. DEFIANT in pricing, it is essential the new class is cost effective in the modern market. UK quality but smartly sized to benefit from UK supply chain core strengths and therefore pricing. DEFIANT in reliability, working with supply chain to integrate a new, smaller Quad IPS IMO Tier 3 or Hamilton Waterjet propulsion solution with high power to weight ratio whilst maintaining simple, quality and reliable engineering. DEFIANT in change, accepting most legacy turbines have unique site requirements, the vessel retains flexibility to be tailored to different projects from a water jet propulsion system for shallow water sites and hybrid options where budgets allow to internal modularity to suit different racking and seating solutions. Andy Page of Chartwell Marine Ltd. said: “It is always enjoyable bringing a new class of vessel to the market. What’s interesting in this case, is the vessel is based-on “legacy vessel” parameters but with modern up-to-date experienced thinking. With the Defiant Class, we are able to utilise our proven high efficiency, high seakeeping performance hull form, in a smaller, more dynamic cost-effective platform, appropriate for the legacy turbine projects the vessels are intended to support”. Richard Thurlow of NR Marine Services Ltd. adds: “NR Marine Services is excited to be the first to bring the brand-new Chartwell DEFIANT Class CTV to the market. With strong industry focus being on the HSOSC market space, the CTV development has been taken away from the smaller vessel market. Working closely with Chartwell Marine and Diverse Marine we have looked at incorporating as many of the recent CTV developments a possible into a smaller package. Step free access from deck level to bow step over point, tiered seating, Male and Female heads, comprehensive galley suite and optimised hull design for near shore projects. Following an internal fleet review long with external market research, the data shows that there is a potential to replace older tonnage which is between 10-15 years old for near shore projects which have a lifespan that warrants investment in new CTV’s”. Ben Colman of Diverse Marine Ltd. adds: “Many years ago, the UK proved that building large numbers of smaller CTV’s was possible but these times have been forgotten as the CTV industry as evolved into larger. HS-OSC compliant craft. It is both exciting and challenging to be involved a project to build a new smaller CTV that meets the growing demand for legacy turbine access with modern technological compliance, modern materials, high fuel efficiency, hybrid options. Put simply the Defiant hosts, a modern, clean and spacious environment but on a smaller highly efficient platform that suits the smaller harbours, short transit sites and shallow water projects." ENDS Chartwell Marine is a trusted pioneer of next-generation vessel design. A reputed naval architect with an industry-leading track record designing award-winning high-speed vessels, Chartwell Marine supports ambitious boat builders and vessel operators around the world with specialist, independent design and consultancy services. To find out more, please visit: http://www.chartwellmarine.com/ About NR Marine Services: At NR Marine Services Ltd. we own and operate a fleet of seven vessels. Our services are available in the UK and throughout Europe. We pride ourselves on our offshore wind industry experience of more than 20 years’, including management of crew transfer vessels, turbine management in construction, commissioning and operational phases. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Great Yarmouth our vessels are available for a wide range of duties. To find out more, please visit: https://www.nrmarine.co.uk
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