Revolutionizing Coast Guard Services: The Concept of an Affordable Mother Ship with Uncrewed Surface Vessels

At the recent ISCRAM2025 Conference in Halifax, Canada, researchers from Dalhousie University and the US Naval Postgraduate School unveiled an innovative concept that could potentially transform coast guard services. The concept revolves around the idea of deploying an affordable mother ship equipped with a flotilla of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) to enhance maritime operations.

The proposed mother ship and USVs aim to provide a persistent on-water presence, offering a wide range of services such as search and rescue operations, response to emergencies on shore, maritime domain awareness, underwater infrastructure surveillance, interdiction of illegal activities, and more. Unlike traditional coast guard ships or aerial drones, the mother ship and USVs could operate for extended periods, offering cost-effective solutions for maritime security.

The Lightly Manned Automated Combat Capability (LMACC)

In the context of the U.S. Navy, a variant of this concept known as the Lightly Manned Automated Combat Capability (LMACC) is envisioned to safeguard trading routes in the Pacific Ocean’s island chains. This demonstrates the versatility and adaptability of the mother ship and USV concept for various maritime security needs.

Addressing Challenges in Vessel Replacement

Many countries face challenges in swiftly building and replacing government vessels. For instance, the Canadian flagship icebreaker, the Louis S. St-Laurent, has been in service since 1969, highlighting the pressing need for innovative solutions in maritime operations.

An Expedited Alternative

The proposed mother ship concept offers an expedited alternative to traditional vessel replacement challenges. By utilizing a seaworthy vessel equipped with essential facilities and capabilities, such as rescue facilities, towing equipment, communication hubs, and fuel stores, the mother ship could efficiently address marine emergencies and security needs.

With a small crew onboard operating on a rotational basis, the mother ship could navigate challenging waters and collaborate with other resources, including helicopters and emergency response equipment, to ensure effective crisis management.

Flotilla of Uncrewed Surface Vessels

The inclusion of a flotilla of USVs further enhances the operational capabilities of the mother ship. These USVs can extend monitoring range, provide on-scene presence, and operate autonomously or under the mother ship’s control. With sufficient fuel capacity for extended endurance, the USVs can cover vast maritime areas efficiently.

Promoting Global Discussion

The researchers advocate for further discussion and exploration of the mother ship and USV concept on a global scale. By leveraging commercially available options for development, a viable solution could be implemented within a relatively short timeframe, revolutionizing coast guard services worldwide.

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