The XV Patrick Blackett will be used as a trial ship, experimenting with new technologies including drones. Last month I reported that the new ‘Special Purpose Vessel’ would arrive in Portsmouth to be prepared for her role as a trials platform. That has now happened. Image credit to the excellent RNPics on Twitter. You can click here to follow them. As I reported previously, the vessel was procured through a £9m contract and will support trials for “autonomy development”. The contract specifications describe a steel vessel with a draught of 3.5m, top speed of 20 knots, a range of 2500 nautical miles, a crew of 6 and the ability to tow small boats such as RHIBs. In addition, the vessel is expected to accommodate 2×40 foot ISO containers or 2x 20-foot ISO containers. While the vessel will also be expected to be autonomous in future, the contract specification makes clear that it will not be for some time “the functional integration of technology provided to enable the autonomous behaviours of the platform are excluded from this current contract but that the contractor should support the physical integration of this equipment in future”. The statement of requirements is relatively vague but does state that NavyX (that’s the part of the Royal Navy that operates this vessel) require a small ‘Fast Crew Vessel’ style ship to serve as a testbed and trials ship for the Royal Navy. What’s the list of specs? The vessel should not have had any previous owners other than the vessel’s builder (or other owner while vessel is in build only). The vessel should already exist and be suitable for ownership to transfer in the timelines given below. Vessel length less than 48m LOA A speed of 20 knots be achievable in light displacement A fuel range of 2500 nautical miles at most efficient speed should be achievable Vessel to have a gross tonnage of less than 500 GT. The vessel should have a maximum draft of 3.5m. The vessel can berth and unberth unaided from its nominated berth. The vessel should be capable of towing small vessels (such as 12m RHIB). The vessel’s primary machinery (prime movers, gearboxes, rudders etc) will where possible be controlled using digital interfaces. The vessel will have a digital autopilot system. Primary hull structure should be steel. Other materials can be used elsewhere in the vessel (for example superstructure). The vessel be able to provide electrical power to the aft deck. The vessel be able to be modified to provide fresh water to the deck. The vessel be able to be fitted with a crane suitable of lifting 3.5 tonnes at 4.5m of distance. The working deck be at least 120m2. The working deck be able to accommodate 2×40 foot ISO containers or 2x 20-foot ISO containers. The vessel is to have an open stern of suitable strength for the deployment of vessel appropriate equipment over the stern. The working deck shall have a load carrying capacity of at least 2 tonne/m2. I’m waiting to here more about what the actuals pecs are and how closely they match the requirements above.