First Harvest Navigation selects Sea Machines’ technology to launch first autonomous hybrid cargo vessel in U.S.

October 28, 2020 | AUVSI News

Sea Machines has announced that First Harvest Navigation, a marine transportation company that connects family farms to urban and suburban neighborhoods, has selected its technology to launch the first autonomous hybrid cargo vessel in the U.S.

A 63’ x 21.3’ aluminum catamaran, the U.S.-built, electric-powered Captain Ben Moore will be powered by Sea Machines’ SM300 autonomous command and remote-helm control system. The vessel will be the first hybrid cargo vessel to feature remote crew-assist technology and to generate zero emissions.

“Sea Machines and First Harvest Navigation are aligned in our commitments to innovation to bolster the U.S. marine highway system and in our support of family farms,” says Michael G. Johnson, founder and CEO, Sea Machines.

“The SM300 ensures predictable and performance-based vessel operations while providing a 24/7 crew support system that is always on watch. It often takes determined entrepreneurial leaders like First Harvest Navigation to move an industry into new waters and Sea Machines is pleased to support the achievement of their goals.”

Integration of Sea Machines’ SM300 onto Captain Ben Moore will take place in November. Once complete, the vessel’s intelligent capabilities will offer First Harvest Navigation redundancy and flexibility for crew shifts. It will also be possible to autonomously command the vessel from the company’s land-based control station.

For added operational safety, the SM300 system also features obstacle detection and collision avoidance technology.

Captain Ben Moore will enter service between Norwalk and Huntington, NY, to deliver food and other cargo faster, more reliably and more affordably than truck transportation to East Norwalk’s Harbor Harvest food market, while also reducing regional highway congestion. A near nine-hour round trip is required to deliver within this location using comparable trucking services. First Harvest Navigation completes the terminal-to-terminal voyage in approximately 35 to 45 minutes.

“Part of our transportation goals are to develop autonomous, hybrid catamarans to move farm products across Long Island Sound. The Sea Machines SM300 autonomous navigation system will help us achieve many of our goals because it enables shipping movements to be completed very reliably and efficiently in a seamless and sustainable delivery system,” explains Bob Kunkel, president, First Harvest Navigation.

“Shifting cargo from streets and highways also alleviates the growing congestion, lower emissions and reestablishes our waterways as a viable and cost-efficient alternative to land-based transport.”

The hybrid vessel can carry approximately 28 pallets, 10 of which are positioned in a fully refrigerated and protected walk-in space. The remaining cargo spaces are open and covered according to customer requirements.

The vessel is powered by a pair of Cummins QSB 6.7 diesels, generating 104 kilowatts each at 2,400 kilowatts, and lithium batteries connected to a pair of BAE Systems HybriDrive electric motors.

Photo below: First Harvest Navigation has selected Sea Machines’ technology to launch the first autonomous hybrid cargo vessel in the U.S. Captain Ben Moore will be the first hybrid cargo vessel to feature remote crew-assist technology and to generate zero emissions. Photo courtesy of Sea Machines