News
Xmas Update 2024
24 December, 2024
Royal Australian Navy (RAN) extends Ocius contract for Bluebottle Uncrewed Surface Vessel Operations for 2025.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has signed a contract extension with Ocius to expand Bluebottle Uncrewed Surface Vessel operations in 2025. As announced by CDRE Turner at the christenings on 26 November 2024, since 1 July 2024, Bluebottles have been operating 24/7/365 across vast areas of our seas to the North. The details of the contract remain confidential; however, we are pleased to confirm that the RAN, in collaboration with Maritime Border Command and the Australian Border Force, have extended the operations contract into the coming year.
BEACON heading home, seen by BB702 heading out to the mission area.
Christenings of our first two grey Bluebottles for Australia and New Zealand.
On 26 November 2024, Commodore Mick Turner from RAN and Commodore Shane Arndell from RNZN christened the first two ‘grey’ Bluebottles, BB712 and BB TAHI.
26 Nov 2024, Commodore Mick Turner RAN and Commodore Shane Arndell RNZN joined by RAN and RNZN colleagues, UNSW professors, Ocius subcontractors, suppliers, shareholders, and Team Ocius to christen the first two 'grey' Bluebottles, BB 712 and BB TAHI, respectively adorned with a kangaroo and a Kiwi.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) have now ordered a total of 15 Bluebottles. BB 712 is the 12th RAN Bluebottle and the first Bluebottle to be designated officially as a Royal Australian Navy Registered Vessel. Achieving this status was no small feat and reflects the strong trust and collaboration Ocius has built with Navy since our first participation in the Autonomous Warrior exercise in 2018 and the many successful initiatives we’ve undertaken together since. This designation allows RAN to operate Bluebottles outside of AMSA regulations, unlocking new possibilities for autonomous maritime operations.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Australian Government, Royal Australian Navy, DSTG, and the Maritime Integrated Capability (MIC) Branch for their partnership and dedication in making this milestone possible.
BB TAHI is the first of two Royal New Zealand Navy Bluebottles ordered following a 12-month trial of a leased Bluebottle BELONNA which finished this month. This order symbolises the cooperation between our two Navies and countries, which share the common profound responsibility of safeguarding vast areas of ocean with modest populations and resources.
Bluebottles - a third of the way to the moon.
Under our current 24/7/365 operations, Bluebottles are steadily increasing the cumulative Odometer reading of total Nautical Miles logged to now 74,000 nautical miles; equivalent to circling the globe at the equator 3.5 times or going a third of the way to the moon. The majority of this has been clocked up in the last few years doing multiple missions with multiple boats for multiple customers. In doing so, Bluebottles are acquiring massive amounts of data about autonomous operations, weather, currents, conditions, payloads, software etc and using Machine Learning and AI, we are continually evolving this capability with our partners in a rapid, agile and iterative way.
24th Annual General Meeting.
On November 26 2024, we held our 24th Annual General Meeting. Thank you to our Board and shareholders who attended this milestone event. This AGM marked much positive news for Ocius and some significant changes. Foremost, we bid a heartfelt farewell to our Chair, Mark Bethwaite, whose steadfast leadership since 2013 guided Ocius from a hybrid ferry company to its position as the world leader in persistent USV technology. Mark’s vision and dedication have been instrumental in shaping Ocius’ journey, and he leaves behind an enduring legacy. We are delighted to welcome Andrew Aitken, a valued Board member for the past six years, as our new Chair. Andrew’s experience and commitment to Ocius promise a seamless transition and continued success in this next chapter.
Ocius is moving to the new premises in Alexandria.
Another noteworthy announcement at the AGM is that Ocius Technology Ltd is relocating from UNSW to a larger, state-of-the-art facility in Alexandria in Jan/Feb. This move, which will be officially celebrated in March 2025, marks an exciting step forward in our growth. As one Navy Captain aptly remarked, “It is time for Ocius to graduate!”
Visit by Federal Minister for Defence Industry (MINDI) Hon Pat Conroy.
On Tuesday 4 Nov, Ocius was honoured to be visited by the Federal Minister for Defence Industry (MINDI) Hon Pat Conroy and his team.
4 Nov 2024, Hon Pat Conroy and his team joined by Navy and Ocius Team
The Minister toured our workshop, clean lab space and Operations centre to see Bluebottles being built, commissioned and doing live operations. We discussed the successful agile way in which Ocius is working with Navy and the great work done by Navy in gaining approval of Bluebottles as a Registered Navy Vessel which is a huge milestone in the capability.
Hon Pat Conroy with Ocius' Novocastrian Newcastle University graduates
BMT and Ocius hydrography mission Bass Strait.
In November/Dec BATHY completed a highly successful 3-week hydrography mission with our hydrography partners BMT.
Bathy with new livery, Starlink and storm sail ready for Bass Strait
BATHY proved her ability to power underwater sensors high bandwidth comms and the propeller to drag the underwater sensors through the water in extremely varying and challenging conditions while keeping highly accurate lines in a ‘mow the lawn’ pattern.
Bass Strait, storm sail up, running accurate lines, charging batteries - no problem
Mission Recap: https://youtube.com/watch?v=aqciEtkSfJk
Sale of four more Bluebottles to the USA.
We are very pleased to announce our partners in the USA, Thayer Mahan have ordered 4 more BB to be delivered in 2025 bringing their total to six. More news on this in the New Year.
Ulladulla shareholder 'townhall meeting'
Finally, a highlight for me personally this year was that on November 12, for the first time, the Ocius Board travelled to Ulladulla for a ‘townhall’ type meeting with many of the original shareholders of Solar Sailor, the precursor to Ocius Technology Limited. It was a memorable get together, offering an opportunity to all reflect on the unlikely beginnings of our journey, share stories from the early days, and honour the vision and commitment that laid the foundation for Ocius’ success today.
We were especially delighted to welcome Leah Kendall, daughter of Marjorie Kendall, the very first shareholder in our company, after whom we named the prototype the Marjorie K. Leah’s presence was a poignant reminder of the trust and belief that our early supporters, like Marjorie placed in us and the values we continue to uphold as we move forward. Thank you to all who attended and thank you for making the event so special. We will be repeating it and making it an annual event.
Ulladulla Shareholders at Mollymook Surf Life Saving Club
With defence sales and operations work with the Royal Australian Navy, the United States, and New Zealand, alongside non-defence work with Marine Parks Australia and BMT, this year has been a period of dynamic growth and evolution for Ocius.
From the Board, Managers and all the crew at Ocius, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we look forward to what lies ahead in 2025.
Robert Dane CEO 24 December 2024
PS if you want some holiday reading please see Ocius in the media in the last few days:
ADPR interview with Editor Kym Bergmann https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/ocius-ceo-robert-dane-in-conversation-with-apdr-editor-kym-bergmann/