From towboat transits to oil spill response and firefighting, there has been a concerted effort across the marine sector to develop autonomous vessel solutions that can shield personnel from the effects of the 'three Ds' - dirty, dangerous and dull tasks that put crew at risk of injury, fatigue and a loss of morale. Naturally, it doesn't get much more risky than naval, patrol and search and rescue (SAR) missions, and military agencies across the globe have been investigating the feasibility of deploying craft that can patrol and protect national borders, or conduct rescues in rough seas, without placing crew directly in the danger zone.
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