AI Meets the Ocean: UKHO and Marine AI Launch World-First Autonomy Project

A world-first initiative has been launched in Plymouth to teach Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) to interpret and act upon official navigational data once only usable by human mariners.

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and Marine AI are leading the eight-month programme to refine Marine AI’s large language model (LLM) to process ADMIRALTY Sailing Directions and Radio Navigation Warnings. The structured data will feed directly into Marine AI’s GuardianAI software, enabling uncrewed vessels to make safe, real-time navigational decisions.

Until now, autonomous craft have relied on human operators to interpret complex, text-based navigational updates written in non-standard language. This project addresses that challenge by developing AI systems capable of reading, structuring and applying the information automatically, improving operational independence and safety at sea.

The research will conclude in spring 2026 with a live on-water demonstration using ZeroUSV’s Oceanus12 vessel on Plymouth’s waterways, supported by advanced simulations. The results will contribute to the International Hydrographic Organization’s S-100 data framework, which underpins future global navigation standards.