Organization. The items that name it, and who it appears alongside.
Rhode Island has become the home of the first U.S. Coast Guard-approved autonomous vessel. The approval marks a milestone in maritime technology and regulation. This development allows the vessel to operate without a crew under Coast Guard oversight. The initiative reflects advancements in autonomous shipping within the United States.
French-made unmanned surface vessels (USVs) will assist the U.S. Navy in counter-drone research and development. The U.S. Coast Guard is also testing these boats for operational use. The collaboration aims to enhance maritime security and drone defense capabilities. The initiative reflects growing international cooperation in unmanned systems.
The NTSB issued six recommendations on October 27, 2026, urging stronger safety standards for uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) after investigating a 2024 collision on Lake Erie between a NOAA-operated USV and a recreational vessel. The incident caused significant damage ($186,000 to the USV, $100,000 to the recreational vessel) and one minor injury, with the NTSB citing poor visibility and lack of electronic detection as key factors. The NTSB called on the U.S. Coast Guard to establish national standards for USV perceptibility, collision avoidance, and navigational safety, while also recommending design changes and stricter operational monitoring by manufacturers and agencies like NOAA. Currently, no industrywide standards exist for USVs in U.S. waters.
The NTSB issued six safety recommendations after a 2024 collision in Lake Erie between a recreational motor yacht and a NOAA-operated uncrewed surface vessel (USV). The incident caused minor injury to the yacht operator and significant damage to both vessels, with the USV deemed a total loss. The NTSB attributed the collision to the USV's low visibility, lack of active monitoring, and insufficient autonomy safeguards. Recommendations include developing national USV standards for detectability, collision avoidance, and navigational safety, as well as design improvements by the manufacturer.
Shield AI has secured $400 million in funding for its AI-piloted X-BAT unmanned fighter, which takes off and lands vertically without a runway. The first full-scale prototype was completed in November 2026, with flight tests scheduled by year-end, though the aircraft has not yet flown. The U.S. Navy and Shield AI are funding development in stages, targeting initial operational capability by 2029. The company’s smaller V-BAT drone is already in use by the U.S. Coast Guard, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Ukraine, supporting its credibility.
The shipping industry’s digital transformation is expanding cyber risks as interconnected systems integrate navigation, machinery monitoring, and cargo operations. While new regulations and AI-driven tools aim to strengthen cybersecurity, concerns persist about whether resilience is keeping pace with technological complexity. Smaller operators and third-party dependencies create vulnerabilities, and operational technology—critical for vessel safety—requires tailored security measures. Recent data show rising cyber incidents, with phishing and operational tech exposure as key threats, while regulatory shifts emphasize implementation and lifecycle management over mere compliance.
Exail’s unmanned surface vessels (USVs) will undergo evaluations by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. The assessments aim to test the USVs' capabilities for potential future operations. No specific timeline or technical details were provided in the announcement. The evaluations reflect growing interest in autonomous maritime systems for defense and security.