12 MARCH, 2025
Who: Charles Darwin University Research Fellow Dr Ruth Patterson, who is an oceanographer with Elysium EPL’s Marine Environmental Services.
Topics:
- Uncrewed surface vehicles, what they do and their benefits on weather forecasting, offshore energy, maritime security, marine wildlife surveying, agriculture and more.
- How a global USV network could benefit Australia and why Australia should be leading the call.
Contact details: Call +61 8 8946 6721 or email media@cdu.edu.au to arrange an interview. More information about the proposal: http://go.cdu.edu.au/f3ha
Quotes attributable to Dr Ruth Patterson:
“This is strategic and important, and Australians and our region will benefit significantly from this technology.
“This technology is currently booming, and we urgently need to establish a global network to agree on standards and best practices so that USV data can be used to enhance our understanding of the oceans and climate.
“With USVs you can observe the ocean cost-effectively. For example, five or ten USVs can take to the ocean for the price of one crewed vessel, which means you can collect data in different places at the same time. Until now this has not been feasible – this is a groundbreaking new capability.
“This network would improve our weather forecasting. The climate is changing so rapidly that we can’t forecast weather as well anymore because our algorithms are based on old data.
“USVs can collect an unprecedented number of environmental and situational data-streams at once, allowing us to improve our predictions of complex phenomena, such as El Nino and La Nina.
“The platforms can also be used to collect data for environmental impact assessments in offshore energy, improve maritime security awareness and surveying marine wildlife all at the same time.
“The outcomes for the agricultural industry, especially fisheries, has vast potential. We are measuring fish biomass, ocean temperature and weather at the same place and the same time. This is much needed to help with climate resilience planning and future proofing industry.”
Contact details:
Raphaella Saroukos she/her
Research Communications Officer
Marketing, Media & Communications
Larrakia Country
T: +61 8 8946 6721
E: media@cdu.edu.au
W: cdu.edu.au
