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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

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