Willie Flemings and Kerry Whilden from Texas A&M University Geochemical and Environmental Research Group brought an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) called an AutoNaut to test out on the cruise. The AutoNaut was deployed from the Sharp and the ship followed it for the next several hours, keeping it in sight. The first attempt at recovering the USV from the Sharp was unsuccessful, so the small boat was deployed to recover it and ferry it to the ship for recovery.

AutoNaut USV

AutoNaut Deployment

AutoNaut Deployed

AutoNaut Small Boat Recovery