Expressions of Interest - Remote Controlled Surface Platform

Dstl is seeking to procure a proven COTS or modified COTS boat that meets the following requirements. - The system and all subsystems shall be capable of operating under remote control by a human within line of sight. - Meets UK existing and planned Maritime Regulations (MCA) for remote controlled / autonomous platforms. - Shall fit inside a 20ft ISO container (disassembled if required) - Shall have the buoyancy and configuration to enable a winch (GFE) to lift a 1000kg mass (with a 400kg safety factor) from the seabed to 3m below the craft. - Must be able to transit 10 miles from point of departure to recovery location at 6 knots, loiter for up to 8hrs in a two knot current and sea-state F3, transit 10 miles back. - Must be capable of dynamic station-keeping (location and heading) over a given point in sea-state F3 within a 5m radius Dstl would like to hear from manufacturers who have boats that meet, or even nearly meet, these requirements. Please email up to a maximum of two A4 pages to hlander@dstl.gov.uk of specification, drawings and photographs of the proposed craft as well as a table stating if the craft meets the requirements and if it does not, what it can do and how, if possible, it could be modified to do so. A ROM cost of the craft is desirable.

Additional information in response to clarification question: Dstl has an ongoing project to determine if an underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV) and a remote controlled surface platform (RCSP) can be used to raise unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the sea bed. The UXO can have a mass of up to 1000kg. The RCSP will need to be able to cope with a transitory load of up to 1400kg to allow for any breakout forces when the UXO is lifted off the seabed. The RCSP will be fitted with a GFE winch. The ROV will attach the winch line to the UXO which will then be raised to within 3m of the RCSP. The RCSP will then transport it to a safe area for disposal. The RCSP will be within sight of a crewed support vessel at all times.

The requirement to fit inside a 20ft ISO container cannot be relaxed. However the RCSP can be disassembled to fit inside it.

Winch Specifications - the winch will be procured via a separate competition so we cannot yet provide exact information. However we will be looking to procure a winch that meets the following specifications: - Shall be able to lift 1 Ton payload plus 0.4 Ton safety factor - Shall include 250m of pre-stretched synthetic winch line - Shall be able to operate from a 12v or 24v d.c. power source - Size of the winch shall be less than or equal to 750x750x750mm - Overall weight shall be less than 200kg