New Jones Act-compliant vessel revealed
United States boat manufacturer SAFE Boats International has recently revealed plans to build its latest Jones Act-compliant vessel. The vessel, known as Merlin, is an autonomous hydrographic survey vessel developed in collaboration with Mythos AI, Echo81, and World Marine Design.
SAFE Boats International plans to build Merlin at its large-craft production facility in Tacoma, Washington. Once manufacturing is complete, the vessel will be suitable for offshore wind sector work. Continue reading to learn more, and be sure to contact The Johnson Firm if you or a loved one has been injured in an offshore accident.
Key features
The Merlin project is led by Safe Boats International, a Seattle-based boat maker that designs and builds safe vessels for military, law enforcement, and fire professionals. The company currently has over 2300 boats in service across the world, and Merlin is among its most innovative.
State-of-the-art power package
Boasting a 23-meter semi-displacement monohull design with an all-aluminum hull, Merlin will be powered by a twin Volvo Penta D13 Hybrid-ready System with integrated propulsion. The design also allows for a zero-emission power package using revolutionary hydrogen technology.
Automated geophysical workflows
Contributions from hydrographic systems provider Echo81 will make Merlin the industry’s first geophysical vessel that can be acquired directly from the manufacturer with a fully integrated sensor suite configured for Offshore Wind in the US.
Maritime autonomy provider Mythos AI’s contributions include an advanced driver assist system designed to automate geophysical workflows, which will allow for operations to occur without crew members being physically present on the vessel.
There are obvious safety concerns regarding any autonomous watercraft, even if no one is physically onboard. It’ll be interesting to see how the creators of this vessel intend to meet their goal of providing a “push-button, long endurance, dock-to-dock, self-driving and self-surveying solution for offshore wind” while meeting safety requirements and following state and federal wildlife regulations.
Spacious quarters
Merlin has three deck levels featuring sleeping berths, a full bathroom, a galley, a survey workstation, and a marine mammal observer post. Equipped on the aft working deck are an A-Frame, dual winches, moonpool, and outboard seismic booms.
The hull features highly advanced sonars that allow for efficient data collection, while a Seakeeper gyro offers active ride control for greater comfort and stability. Merlin’s shallow 1.6-meter draft also allows it to make port calls in almost any harbor.
Role of the Jones Act
Also known as Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, the Jones Act is a federal law that requires vessels operating in US waters to be constructed in the United States and to be operated with a crew of mostly US citizens. This restriction makes it difficult for foreign-owned vessels to travel between US ports, and as a result, only US-owned vessels are able to work in the country’s coastal areas.
Safe Boats International’s Merlin is compliant with the Jones Act due to its American-built design. The presence of a Jones Act-compliant vessel in the US offshore wind industry will allow companies to access essential services while complying with federal regulations.
Potential impacts
The new vessel is still in the development phase, but its introduction to the US offshore wind industry could have a number of positive impacts.
Economy and jobs
Merlin’s design is specifically tailored to the requirements of offshore wind projects in the US. This could help to create more jobs in the sector and stimulate economic growth.
Because the regulations under the Jones Act also mandate that most of the crew be US citizens, the introduction of Merlin to the industry could open up job opportunities for local mariners. The vessel’s innovative technology could also lead to the creation of new jobs in other areas such as engineering and software development.
Disaster relief operations and military logistics
As Merlin was designed to meet the requirements of the Jones Act, it could also be used in domestic disaster relief operations and military logistics. The vessel’s semi-displacement hull and shallow draft mean that it can operate close to shore, allowing for faster delivery of personnel and supplies in emergency situations.
Learn more from an offshore accidents attorney
Safe Boats International’s development of the Jones-Act compliant vessel, Merlin, is a major step forward for safety in the US offshore wind sector, but accidents still occur in this industry.
If you have been injured in an offshore accident, The Johnson Firm may be able to help you seek compensation for your losses. Contact us today at (337) 433-1414 for a free consultation with an offshore accident lawyer in Lake Charles.
