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Old 14-11-2013, 07:51   #1
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Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

Saildrone Completes Pacific Crossing

Posted on November 13, 2013 by andrew

On November 4th, 2013, Saildrone 1 arrived in Kaneohe, Hawaii, 34 days after leaving San Francisco. This amazing accomplishment sets a new world record for a autonomous sailboats as well as being the first unmanned and autonomous vessel to cross an ocean using wind power...

Saildrone Completes Pacific Crossing | Cruising Compass

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Amazing.

But the first question that comes to mind - what type of anchor does it carry?

edit: some video...ohhh I want one - just for kicks....



http://vimeo.com/63986103
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Old 14-11-2013, 08:01   #2
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

Did it have guns aboard? Great now we will have to watch out for all the folks out there who are "virtual sailing" along with the ones that are there in person.
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Old 14-11-2013, 08:02   #3
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

You too can sail across the Pacific ocean without all the fuss and muss of actually being there.
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Old 14-11-2013, 08:08   #4
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

This contraption was foreseen by DOJ when he stated even a goat could circumnavigate. Its all on the CF archives!
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Old 14-11-2013, 08:14   #5
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

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Originally Posted by captain58sailin View Post
You too can sail across the Pacific ocean without all the fuss and muss of actually being there.
Can you imagine the internet generation being given the opportunity to tune in via their iphones to a camera remote on one of these bad boys?

Or even better wait till google gets ahold of this and starts google mapping the milk run...

"Honey what was that thump did we hit something?"

"No dear - it was just one of those google drones, must have been a user error in our autopilot...oh wait its still floating. Hon, since we are a bit low on batteries do you mind if I fire up the engine and make a second pass while Im at it?"

Seriously though - this will be a big boon to more comprehensive ocean research. I am assuming they can have their course altered remotely so they can be used to position themselves to follow fish stocks, whale migration patterns, use their microphones etc.

They could also study deep water algae blooms, garbage patch issues, track debris patters - i mean it is really endless if you can get the price point of each down far enough.

Better make them soft - cause i am sure fisherman and sailors wont see them at night until they hear them bumping along the hull...
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Old 14-11-2013, 08:15   #6
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

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Great now we will have to watch out for all the folks out there who are "virtual sailing" along with the ones that are there in person.
Very good point actually, the not having the ability to "see and avoid" is the only thing keeping our skies from being filled with RPV's, drones or whatever you want to call them.
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Old 14-11-2013, 08:31   #7
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

AUV is one of the terms. OUV is another depending on above ground or underwater.
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Old 14-11-2013, 08:39   #8
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

I think this is a wonderful combination of technological progress and adventure. The engineering challenges are fascinating and will no doubt lead to breakthroughs in other fields. I sometimes consider trying to build my own autonomous sailboat, or perhaps sponsoring a high-school group project, just for the challenge and satisfaction.

As long as they are small, and visually noticeable (an AIS beacon would be good too), I'm not too concerned with these vessels being a hazard at sea. I would guess that there are at least 100x as many shipping containers adrift than as there are autonomous boats out there. And 1,000,000x as many floating trees, timbers, etc.
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Old 14-11-2013, 08:51   #9
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

My response was tongue in cheek, they are already working on and have the technology to render ship's crews obsolete. Except they can't figure out how to chip paint and rust remotely. One day I am sure that will be done too.
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Old 14-11-2013, 09:19   #10
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

Project Saildrone
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Old 23-11-2013, 15:26   #11
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

Surely a "Pacific Crossing" means going from one side to the other. Isn't Hawaii only about a third of the way across from the US?
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Old 23-11-2013, 15:34   #12
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

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Originally Posted by s/v Beth View Post
This contraption was foreseen by DOJ when he stated even a goat could circumnavigate. Its all on the CF archives!
We'll see,
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Old 23-11-2013, 15:39   #13
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

Impressive.

I have some thoughts, though undeveloped.

I am sure someone will think of them and post them..........the funny ones too.
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Old 23-11-2013, 15:53   #14
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

Gee... how did it survive without ais?
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Old 23-11-2013, 16:09   #15
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Re: Sailing Drone Completes Pacific Crossing

Gees! A trimaran with a keel. Surely it had to be self righting. I've always wanted a sailing submarine.
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