In the future, ships and boats without crews could roam the world's oceans collecting data for scientists while patrolling for illegal fishing and smuggling operations, a researcher says.
The vessels would be especially useful in remote waters off northern Australia where using crews is not only expensive but also dangerous during wild weather.
Charles Darwin University PhD candidate Ruth Patterson is studying how long an uncrewed vessel can remain at sea collecting data and conducting surveillance operations.
"These are wind and solar powered, the only reason they would stop would be because of fouling on the hull, but that takes many months," she said.
The vessels have the potential to be able to travel in remote regions for extended periods collecting information for agencies conducting activities such as monitoring climate change, borders and resource theft.
A US team recently sailed an uncrewed vessel through the eye of a hurricane, and successfully collected data not previously seen.
"That's a game changer... that's exciting. Piloting an (uncrewed vessel) through a hurricane shows the potential of the vessels to go where no one else can," Ms Patterson said.
Uncrewed vessels are also known as unmanned surface vehicles or autonomous surface vehicles.
They are remote controlled by an operator on land or onboard another vessel.
Fouling of the hull occurs when organic materials, such as shellfish and seaweeds, attach to the vessel.
