Blue Water tests new ‘crewless’ ship in New Bedford waters – The New Bedford Light

Report on the Unveiling of an Autonomous Maritime Vessel and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

On October 31, the Navy-backed startup Blue Water unveiled a prototype of a fully autonomous, crewless vessel in New Bedford, Massachusetts. This initiative represents a significant advancement in maritime technology and aligns with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning innovation, economic growth, sustainable communities, and global partnerships.

Advancing Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)

The Blue Water vessel is a pioneering development in autonomous marine technology, directly contributing to SDG 9, which aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

Technological Breakthrough

• Full Autonomy: This vessel is the first of its kind designed to operate without any on-site human intervention or the need for a manned “chase boat,” representing a leap in reliability and operational independence.
• Remote Operation: The ship is controlled from land using a combination of cameras, sensors, and proprietary software, similar to drone or driverless car technology.
• Scalable Design: While the current prototype is barge-mounted, plans are underway for a larger 150-foot vessel to test long-distance capabilities, indicating a scalable infrastructure for future applications.

Fostering Economic Growth and Sustainable Communities (SDG 8 & SDG 11)

The project is based in New Bedford, positioning the city as a hub for marine technology and contributing to local economic diversification and resilience, in line with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Local Economic Impact

1. Strategic Partnership: The collaboration between the City of New Bedford and Blue Water exemplifies a strategic effort to leverage the city’s maritime assets for high-tech economic development.
2. Investment and Growth: Blue Water has successfully raised nearly $64 million, signaling significant investment in the region and supporting the creation of innovation-focused jobs.
3. Economic Diversification: By embracing defense and marine technology, New Bedford is building a more resilient economic base beyond traditional industries, making the community more sustainable.

Contributions to Global Sustainability and Security

The autonomous vessel’s applications extend to broader global objectives, including maritime security, environmental stewardship, and international cooperation.

Promoting Peace and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

U.S. officials highlighted the technology’s importance for national defense and maintaining global stability. By providing advanced maritime capabilities, the project supports the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.

Potential for Protecting Life Below Water (SDG 14)

While developed for military purposes, this technology has significant potential to support the conservation and sustainable use of oceans.

• Efficiency and Emissions: Autonomous navigation can optimize routes and fuel consumption, potentially reducing the carbon footprint of maritime transport.
• Environmental Monitoring: Crewless vessels are ideal platforms for long-duration scientific missions, such as monitoring marine ecosystems, tracking pollution, and collecting climate data.
• Combating Illegal Activities: The technology can be deployed for surveillance to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, thereby protecting marine resources.

Strengthening Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

The Blue Water initiative is a prime example of a multi-stakeholder partnership, a core principle of SDG 17. The project’s success relies on the collaborative efforts of various entities:

• Private Sector: Blue Water provides the technological innovation and entrepreneurial drive.
• National Government: The U.S. Navy’s backing underscores the strategic importance and provides critical support.
• Local and Regional Government: The City of New Bedford and U.S. Representatives provide the necessary civic partnership and policy support to facilitate development and testing.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article connects to SDG 8 by focusing on economic development in New Bedford. It highlights how the city is “turning to defense technology for economic development” in response to challenges in other industries. The support for startups through programs like the NB100! grant, which committed “$1.1 million to 44 small businesses and startups,” directly promotes entrepreneurship and economic growth.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  This is a central theme of the article. The development of a “fully autonomous vessel” by the startup Blue Water is a prime example of technological innovation. The article details the creation of new technology (“proprietary software”), the building of infrastructure (the prototype vessel and a future 150-foot version), and the enhancement of scientific research with the goal of creating a “modern defense industry.”

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

  The article links the technology directly to national security and peace. U.S. Representatives Keating and Auchincloss are quoted stressing “the importance of new maritime military technology to keep the U.S. competitive with China and other foreign entities.” The technology is framed as a response to “great threats in our country right now, threats that are occurring from China and Russia,” thereby contributing to the strengthening of national defense institutions to maintain peace.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The project described is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership. The article mentions that Blue Water is a “Navy-backed startup” and that its unveiling event was joined by “New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, and U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss.” This collaboration between a private company, the military, and local and federal government bodies exemplifies the public-private partnerships promoted by SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article shows New Bedford diversifying its economy by embracing “defense technology” and supporting innovative startups like Blue Water.
  • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities… entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. The city’s NB100! grant program and its partnership with Blue Water are direct examples of policies encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… encouraging innovation. The entire Blue Water project, focused on developing a “fully autonomous vessel” with “proprietary software,” is an effort to upgrade the technological capabilities of the maritime and defense industries through research and innovation.
  • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation. The project is a U.S.-based initiative (“Navy-backed startup based in Lexington, Massachusetts”) aimed at developing advanced domestic technology to maintain a competitive edge.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

  • Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions… to build capacity at all levels… to prevent violence. The development of a “modern defense industry” and advanced military technology, as described in the article, is a direct effort to strengthen the capacity of national defense institutions to deter threats and prevent conflict.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The collaboration between Blue Water (private sector), the U.S. Navy (public/military), and the city of New Bedford (public/local government) is a clear illustration of this target in action.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for SDG 8 and SDG 9

  • Financial Investment in Innovation: The article states that Blue Water “has raised nearly $64 million,” which serves as a direct indicator of financial resources being mobilized for research and development.
  • Support for Small Businesses: The mention that the NB100! program “committed $1.1 million to 44 small businesses and startups” is a quantifiable indicator of support for entrepreneurship.
  • Technological Milestones: The unveiling of the “first prototype” and the plan to build a “larger, 150-foot prototype” are tangible indicators of progress in technology development and innovation.

• Indicators for SDG 16

  • Development of Defense Capabilities: While not a numerical metric, the creation of the “first ship of its kind to operate without any on-site human intervention” for military purposes is an indicator of strengthening national defense capacity. The article implies that the existence and deployment of such technology serve as a measure of a “modern defense industry.”

• Indicators for SDG 17

  • Establishment of Partnerships: The article explicitly describes the formation of a partnership, noting it “began just over a year ago with an informal meeting with Blue Water’s three founders” and now involves the city, federal representatives, and the Navy. The existence and active collaboration of this public-private entity is the primary indicator.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: newbedfordlight.org