Send a text

How close are we really to autonomous ships at sea?

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell sit down with Simon Adams, founder of The USV Group, for a clear, operational look at uncrewed surface vessels and what is actually happening on the water today.

This is a straight-talking conversation that cuts through the hype around autonomy and explains how USVs are really being used, how they are regulated, and what this shift means for safety, skills and the future maritime workforce.

From remote operations and human oversight to environmental gains, offshore survey, subsea infrastructure, defence and surveillance, this episode unpacks where USVs already deliver value and where the limits still are.

In this episode you will learn:

• What uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) really are, and how they differ from AUVs and ROVs
• Why most operations today are remotely operated, not fully autonomous
• How regulation is evolving and how international and national regulators are shaping the future of uncrewed vessels
• Where USVs are already being used, including seabed survey, offshore wind, subsea cables, surveillance and defence
• Why USVs can dramatically reduce fuel use and offshore emissions compared with traditional vessels
• How human operators remain central to safety, decision-making and collision avoidance
• What USVs can realistically contribute to search and rescue and incident response
• Whether USVs will really replace seafarers or simply reshape maritime careers
• Why large, fully uncrewed commercial ships are unlikely in the near future
• What needs to change in regulation to safely test and develop this technology in the UK

Hosts: Julia Gosling & Adam Parnell | Sea Views

Guest: Simon Adams | Founder, The USV Group

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send us a text

What really happens when a life is on the line hundreds of miles offshore, and what actually makes the difference between rescue and recovery?

In this episode of Sea Views, host Julia Gosling (former HM Coastguard press office in UK) sits down with Matt Baer, retired US Coast Guard Captain and now Director of Emergency Response at Gallagher Marine Systems, for a straight-talking comparison of UK vs US search and rescue, the reality of offshore response, and the technology that is changing outcomes at sea. From AMVER and vessel-to-vessel assistance to EPIRBs, personal locator beacons, AIS, infrared, and drones, this conversation goes deep into what works, what fails, and what both professionals and recreational boaters still get wrong.

In this episode you will learn:

- How UK vs US maritime search and rescue is structured, from assets to response posture

- Why “People, Environment, Property, Economy” guides every major maritime incident

- How offshore rescues work when the nearest help may be another merchant vessel

- Why AMVER and trade routes can make the difference in mid-ocean cases

- What EPIRBs and personal locator beacons can do to take the search out of search and rescue

- Why beacon registration details matter and how missing info slows response - How AIS, infrared, and aerial surveillance improve detection and reduce uncertainty

- Where drones are helping today, and where limitations still exist

- Matt’s hardest days, including the reality of next-of-kin notifications

- The rescues that made it all worth it, including the Golden Ray case and industry collaboration

Host: Julia Gosling | Sea Views Podcast Guest: Matt Baer | Director of Emergency Response, Gallagher Marine Systems (Retired US Coast Guard) Gallagher Marine Systems: www.gallaghermarine.com

Supported by: CHIRP Maritime & The Seafarers’ Charity www.chirp.co.uk |www.theseafarerscharity.org

#SeaViews #MaritimeSafety #SearchAndRescue #USCoastGuard #EmergencyResponse #EPIRB #PersonalLocatorBeacon #MarineSafety #Yachting #Seafarers

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send us a text

🚨 What really happens when yacht crew report incidents, and how many lives has CHIRP already helped save?

In this episode of Sea Views, host Julia Gosling sits down with Paul Shepherd, Chair of the CHIRP Superyacht Board, to unpack how confidential incident reporting is reshaping safety culture across the superyacht industry. From near misses and falls from height to lithium battery fires, manning levels and harassment on board, this is a straight talking look at what is really happening at sea and what must change.

Paul explains how CHIRP’s Confidential Hazardous Incident Reporting Programme works in practice, why anonymity is non negotiable, and how reports are turned into practical safety lessons that captains, management companies and crew can use immediately. He also digs into the regulatory gap between private and commercial superyachts, and why minimum safe manning is no longer enough for today’s dual season, high intensity programs.

✅ In this episode you will learn:
How CHIRP’s confidential superyacht reporting system actually works from first contact to published lesson
Why near misses are "accidents that did not happen" and how they can prevent the next fatality
The real risk behind work aloft on wet, sloping decks and why flags are now pushing back
Emerging technical dangers, including engine start battery explosions and lithium ion battery fires
How crew welfare, hours of rest, manning levels and cabin conditions link directly to safety on board
Where harassment and abuse fit into the safety picture and how CHIRP and ISWAN work together
Why the regulatory divide between private and commercial superyachts is no longer defensible
What a "minimum operational safe manning" model could look like for busy charter and dual season yachts
How captains, managers and owners can use honest reporting as a mark of professionalism, not weakness
Paul’s direct appeal to yacht crew worldwide to share their own stories and help drive industry change

💬 Join the conversation:
Do you have a near miss story or a lesson learned that others could benefit from, even if it happened years ago? You can message us about what you believe most needs to change in superyacht safety culture and reporting.

📣 How to report to CHIRP:
If you are yacht crew and want to share a safety concern, incident or near miss confidentially, visit the CHIRP Maritime website or app. Reports can be made by phone, email or online, and your identity is fully protected at every stage.
🌐 Website: https://chirp.co.uk/maritime/
📧 Email: mail@chirp.co.uk
☎️ Phone (UK): +44 20 4534 2881

🎙️ Host: Julia Gosling | Sea Views Podcast
👤 Guest: Paul Shepherd | Chair, CHIRP Superyacht Board

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd