Founded by brothers Neil and Mike Tinmouth, ACUA Ocean is bringing a new type of unmanned surface vessel (USV) to the market powered by Hydrogen.
The H-USV has the capaibvility to deploy and recover a wide range of sensors with a payload of up to 4 tonnes. The modular design of the unique-looking H-USV is designed to be rapidly mobilised on-site around the world.
The ACUA Ocean team have relocated to Turnchapel Wharf, the home of UK Maritime Autonomy, to begin the next phase of their USV testing before demonstrations begin in 2025.
Remotely Operated with enhanced stability
The 13.5m LOA vessel is designed to be uncrewed and remotely operated.
The Project has received CMDC3 funding from the UK Department for Transport in 2023 with previous investments since their incorporation. The project received Lloyd's Register Approval in Principle for the vessel electrical, hydrogen and control systems in 2022.
The system can be utilised for a variety of applications including; delivery of payloads to windfarms, surface intelligence surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, border control and monitoring critical national infrastructure.
Harbour Acceptance Testing
ACUA Ocean arrived at Turnchapel Wharf in August 2024 to begin Harbour Acceptance Testing later in the year. Their USV Pioneer is lined up to conduct demonstrations in Q1 2025 as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK.
Turnchapel Wharf is also working with ACUA Ocean on its future fuels and technology strategy under grand funding from the South West Marine and Maritime Launchpad.
ACUA Ocean
A summary of the project, filmed in 2023.
ACUA Ocean team
The new ACUA Ocean HQ will be led by John Hunnibell and Nigel Mashembo, both of whom have extensive experience in running marine astronomy test sites. They’re joined by a growing team of naval architects and engineers as the ACUA Ocean team expands, having created a dozen new jobs in Plymouth this year.
