The purpose of the work is the development of technical documentation and the implementation of a model of a vessel with a reduced waterline area and solar power plant, designed to study methods for controlling an autonomous vessel of this type.

Objective of the project:
It consists in creating an inexpensive vessel-platform model for studying not only navigational characteristics of SAW, but also automatic control systems (heading, trajectory, clearance, mooring, ballasting, power plant, solar panels, dynamic positioning) applicable to other types of vessels.

The designed object refers to the type of vessels with a small area of the waterline (SAW) or a semi-submersible catamaran. Special feature of such vessels is the ability to overcome waves below or above them, not swim through them. This effect is achieved by two racks, in the stern and the bow, on the side of a small cross section. In the developed model, hydrofoils will also be used. Two wings in the stern and two wings in the bow, aimed at each other in the cross section of the vessel.

Estimated model features:
length - 2 m., width - 1 m., height - 0.6 m.; water displacement - 35 kg .; the hull and racks are supposed to be made of composite materials, pontoons -from polycarbonate pipes; power plant - solar panels with a total capacity of 400 watts and batteries 2304 Wh; propulsion system - 2 azipods with a power of 645W each, located in the end parts of the pontoons on rotary bases; equipment
- GPS / Glonass system, GSM-channel, radio channel for data transfer 433 MHz., Video camera.

The advantage of our vessel is a very low impedance compared to other types of vessels: single hull 65%, catamarans 15%, a vessel with a small waterline area of 5%.

As a result, we have more efficient energy consumption by the power plant, and also due to the design features, the vessel in motion has a low susceptibility to sea waves. Compared to SAW type vessels, only we use landing on the platform in the absence of movement (without ballasting) and the initial stability of the vessel is preserved.

In this project, the vessel is conditionally divided into two parts for the bearing load: the platform vessel, and the payload: add-on-structure. Such separation will reduce the production time of the vessel due to its modularity, i.e. we can also use a certain type of hull - there should be a certain standard, depending on the class of the vessel. The vessel will have appropriate dimensions, payload (adjustment) is discussed with the customer. Furthermore, on the basis of one platform it will be possible to build ships for various types of tasks.

As a result of the work done, we will get a budget model of a platform vessel for studying it’s seaworthiness, as well as automatic control systems ,applicable to other types of vessels. Further commercialization of the project is possible by creating an enterprise engaged in the manufacture and sale of ships.