World’s First Remotely Controlled Rescue Vessel Unveiled

Zelim, an Edinburgh-based sea survival innovator, has unveiled the world’s first unmanned and manned remotely controlled rescue vessel designed for person-in-water retrieval.

The vessel, named Guardian, was launched for the first time at the SMM Trade Fair in Hamburg, Germany.

The vessel is 8.4-meter-long, 2.5-meter-wide aluminium-hulled Next Generation Fast Rescue Craft (FRC), designed for quick deployment and to recover both conscious and unconscious casualties.

The vessel is intended to operate in conditions deemed too dangerous for conventional manned rescue missions, offering a safer alternative for maritime emergencies.

The unique rescue craft can recover casualties with its integrated SWIFT system, which safely holds and retrieves individuals while reducing the risk of injury caused by a loss of hydrostatic pressure.

The SWIFT system can retrieve two survivors at the same time, reducing the risk of rescuers while increasing survival rates.

The GUARDIAN’s autonomous capabilities and speedy deployment provide a potentially life-saving alternative to traditional rescue methods.

Besides man-overboard incidents, the GUARDIAN can also perform unmanned maritime safety and security operations.