ASV MAINAMI for AUV monitoring and its sea trial

JAMSTEC has proposed an operation of multiple AUVs using an ASV (Autonomous Surface Vehicle) to improve survey efficiency. For this purpose, an ASV “MAINAMI” with a length of 6 meters has been developed since 2013. The vehicle is equipped with an acoustic communication device and a satellite one, in order to relay information between an AUV and operators on a ship or on land. In February 2016, its sea trials were carried out at Suruga-Bay. The performance of its solo navigation was verified through the sea trial. And, the ASV succeeded in tracking of a deep-tow as a simulated curing-type AUV.