Unique Group, global innovators in subsea technologies and engineering, has entered a partnership with Seafloor Systems to acquire EchoBoat-160™ USV, with fully integrated multibeam echosounder (SeaRAY) and sound velocity profiler, which will be available for hire from the Group’s Houston facility from May 2023.

This agreement reinforces Unique Group’s commitment to introducing the latest cutting-edge technology to customers and developing the Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) marketplace with its own ‘Uni-Range’ of USV systems. Unique Group offers a range of USVs on a sale and rental basis allowing the end client to select the most suitable USV system, coupled with a wide range of sensor packages, geared for the planned activity.

The EchoBoat-160™ USV is a purpose-built remote survey platform for hydrographic data collection. With true one-button startup, the nimble vessel integrates professional-grade sensor suites in a compact package to navigate challenging bodies of water by remote control or autonomous wayfinding.

Chris Blake, Vice President – Survey at Unique Group commented: “We’re extremely delighted to add the EchoBoat-160™ USV to our ever-expanding inventory of USVs. This 5th generation fully integrated system is an excellent portable USV that can be used by our clients to undertake hydrographic surveys remotely and safely. It is readily available in our US facility and can be quickly deployed across North and Latin America from our facilities. We look forward to the prospect of further developing our partnership with Seafloor in the future.”

John Tamplin, CEO at Seafloor further added: “It is great to partner with Unique Group and expand our reach by taking advantage of Unique Group’s global presence. EchoBoat-160™ USV is a purpose-built system that is well suited for hydrographic surveys and accomplishes the same results demanded of large, crewed boats more efficiently and at a fraction of the cost. We’re confident that through our partnership we will be able to cater to client requirements easily and effectively.”

Unique Group aims to support Seafloor with its technical capabilities and worldwide presence, to facilitate seamless support for customers, a team of Unique Group’s technical personnel will be attending a week-long in-depth operational and maintenance course at Seafloor Systems, Shingle Springs, CA, USA fabrication facility.

Once the system is delivered to Houston, Unique Group will receive Seafloor’s extensive support to set up the complete system and make it operationally ready for rental opportunities.