The Mayflower becomes the first autonomous ship to cross the Atlantic
Slowly but surely companies are developing the technology they need to eliminate many of the operating crews on board ships and this is yet another step towards that goal.
Key takeaways
- A remote assessment determined that the generator fault could not be repaired without human intervention so the Mayflower returned to base.
- See it in action Repairs were undertaken and fresh on-water testing resumed in September, with another crossing attempt scheduled in for the Northern Hemisphere spring of 2022.
- Sadly, the generator again developed a mechanical issue on May 6 and the decision was made to direct the ship to Horta in the Azores for investigation and repairs.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2022) 'The Mayflower becomes the first autonomous ship to cross the Atlantic', 311 Institute, 10 July. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/the-mayflower-becomes-the-first-autonomous-ship-to-cross-the-atlantic/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Today it seems like many vehicles are driving themselves around, from giant cargo ships and trucks, to cars and even spacecraft … Now though, hot on the heels of the US military’s first autonomous ship and following a number of technical setbacks, the Mayflower autonomous research vessel has successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean, clocking up 3,500 miles (5,600 km) and arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Researchers at Plymouth University in the UK first revealed plans to launch an autonomous research craft in 2015, which would set sail from the starting point of its famous Mayflower namesake in the UK and head to Plymouth, Massachusetts, on the 400th anniversary of the original Pilgrim voyage.
The Future of Shipping keynote, by Matthew Griffin
The project brought a number of global partners on board, including Nvidia, ocean research non-profit ProMare and IBM, to build out the 15-m (49.2-ft) trimaran and install an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Captain along with six AI-powered cameras, 15 edge computer systems, more than 30 sensors, navigation tech and a weather station. And all was looking good for launch in late 2020, with the Mayflower entering extended sea trials ahead of the Atlantic crossing attempt the following year.
In June 2021, the crewless vessel set off on its epic journey, but the attempt was abandoned after just three days of cruising at an average of 7 knots for 450 nautical miles due to a problem with the ship's hybrid solar-electric/diesel propulsion system. A remote assessment determined that the generator fault could not be repaired without human intervention so the Mayflower returned to base.
See it in action
Repairs were undertaken and fresh on-water testing resumed in September, with another crossing attempt scheduled in for the Northern Hemisphere spring of 2022. And in the early morning of April 27, the Mayflower again departed from Turnchapel Wharf in Plymouth for a three-week journey to the United States. Not Plymouth, Massachusetts, as originally planned, but this time heading first for Virginia and then Washington.
Sadly, the generator again developed a mechanical issue on May 6 and the decision was made to direct the ship to Horta in the Azores for investigation and repairs. After waiting for two "significant low pressure systems" to pass, the command center in Plymouth performed a remote restart a couple of weeks later and the crossing attempt resumed.
The remaining 2,000 mile voyage appeared to be going without a hitch, until an issue with the charging circuit for the generator starter batteries was detected on May 28 and the Mayflower was diverted to Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada. The vessel subsequently made port on Sunday June 5.
"Our journey, since conception, has been eventful and challenging," said ProMare on LinkedIn. "So we are thrilled that our ship completed the endurance challenge of being the first self-directed autonomous ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean."
Maybe, just maybe though, next time it could do it without so many breakdowns though …
Source: IBM
What this means for your organisation
Autonomy can cross oceans.
A ship guided by AI completed a long ocean voyage. That proves the navigation side works. Remote and crewless operations move closer.
Machinery is the weak link.
Mechanical faults, not AI, stopped earlier attempts. Without a crew, simple repairs become impossible. Reliability and remote monitoring must improve.
Rules will shape adoption.
Global rules for crewless ships are arriving. Insurers and ports will need new standards. Shipping firms should engage early with regulators.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our shipping routes could suit crewless vessels?
- How would we handle breakdowns without a crew on board?
- What rules on autonomous ships affect us?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Slowly but surely companies are developing the technology they need to eliminate many of the operating crews on board ships and this is yet another step towards that goal.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
What future do you need to see?
Choose one to get started on transport and mobility and the future of your organisation.
Sources and further reading
- ProMare promare.org
- Promare mas400 autonomousships oceanscience activity 6939591707734777857 5hoy linkedin.com
- The Mayflower Autonomous Ship Has Reached North America newsroom.ibm.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 10 July 2022. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2022). The Mayflower becomes the first autonomous ship to cross the Atlantic. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/the-mayflower-becomes-the-first-autonomous-ship-to-cross-the-atlantic/
You are welcome to quote this article with credit and a link to the original.