News
September 2025 Update
12 September, 2025
SEPTEMBER 2025 Update
Dear All,
I am pleased to announce:
AUSTRALIA
New Facilities
We have successfully completed our move from UNSW Randwick to our new facilities in Alexandria.
RAN Captain Adam Allica inspects Ocius new premises in Alexandria
Congratulations to all our staff for their planning and hard work in making this happen successfully. Special thanks to the Ocius teams and individuals completing the move seamlessly, while we continued Operations, Engineering, Production, Contracts, HR, IT, Cyber, and Company Administration without interruption.
Darwin Operations:
Meanwhile, we continue to operate 24/7 out of Darwin since 1 July 2024. We have established a forward operating base in Darwin where we employ several full-time local staff and fly in and out Ocius engineers on a roster.
Ocius Forward Operating Base in Darwin
Record number of days at sea:
Operating out of Darwin 24/7, we have been ‘learning by doing’, continuously improving the quality of our production in Sydney, planned maintenance, pre-launch checks and ‘predictive health’ monitoring at sea. In July 2024, we were aiming for a month, maybe two at sea, but we now are seeing the record for the total number of days at sea for a single BB being exceeded on a regular basis. Our recent record high is 127 days (over 4 months) and at time of writing we have another BB at sea happy and healthy at 120 days.
I am pleased to say my original vision, perhaps seen as bold back in 2015, that Bluebottles could ‘stay at sea for months’ is now a reality.
Total Bluebottle odometer reading:
The Bluebottles across all fleets have sailed an accumulated 145,828 NM in total at this week’s count. This is equal to 6.7 times round the world at the equator or put another way is equal to 70% of the way to the moon.
Ocius starts Defence Trailblazer Project:
Defence Trailblazer is a partnership between the Australian Government, the University of Adelaide, the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and industry. It was launched in 2022 as a national initiative designed to accelerate defence innovation and commercialisation. In collaboration with UNSW Canberra, we are undertaking a 12-month initiative focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) with two key outcomes:
- Optimising Production Efficiency: Developing in-house Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the integrated production and maintenance facility at Ocius’ Alexandria site. The goal is to create the most efficient "machine that builds the machine"—enabling rapid scaling of Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) production.
- AI-Powered Logistics Framework: Creating a robust AI-driven logistics support system to streamline deployment, sustainment, and lifecycle management of USVs in operational environments.
The project is being delivered under a 1:2 funding agreement, with Defence Trailblazer contributing one-third and Ocius Technology providing the remaining two-thirds.
New Staff:
We are very pleased to welcome key new staff over the last few months.
Andrew Carruthers - Chief Financial Officer
Andrew has a Bachelor of Economics and Company Secretariate qualifications with over 35 years financial experience. Andrew commenced his career as a chartered accountant before moving to commercial. He has worked for large private and public multinationals companies in both Australia, New Zealand and Europe. During this time, he has also managed manufacturing, retail, service and engineering companies. He has also been instrumental in establishing structured finance and insurance programmes for consumer and wholesale lending and consulted globally to assist in the rollout of the captive finance strategy.
Tammy Goh our previous CFO has now become our Financial Controller and remains Company Secretary.
Jane Maindonald - Chief of Human Resources
Jane holds a Master of Organisational Psychology and a Bachelor of Business with a specialisation in Strategic Human Resource Management. She has worked across a wide range of sectors from government and academia to not-for-profits and consultancies in engineering and psychology, bringing a rich mix of experience to her role. Jane is passionate about building a workplace that’s not just productive, but also purpose-driven and fulfilling for everyone on the team. With a strong grasp of what drives both team and individual performance, she’s deeply committed to helping people thrive at Ocius. Jane is also the National Secretary of Industrial Engineers Australia, where she supports professional development and collaboration across the industry.
Rob Brezniak - Head of Business Development
Robert leads business development for Ocius. Robert has substantial experience supporting Australian businesses to expand into international markets, with a focus on the US, UK and Asia. He brings to Ocius 6 years of experience in cross-border business and international business expansion. Robert has also worked in leading public sector agencies including the departments of Prime Minister & Cabinet and Treasury. With experience advising Prime Ministers and Ministers, Robert combines global commercial acumen with deep government expertise to lead Ocius’ engagement with new customers and governments. Robert holds a First-Class Honours degree in International Studies from the University of Sydney and a Masters in Public Administration from GRIPS in Tokyo.
Sonia Clark – Head of Commercial and Contracts
Sonia has over 20 years of experience working in strategy, commercial and policy in private and government sectors. She started her career as an Australian Public Service Graduate, working in service delivery and policy before taking up the role of Adviser to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. After a stint in commercial, contracting and personal injury law, Sonia decided to fulfil a childhood dream and join the Royal Australian Navy. She subsequently specialised as a Principal Warfare Officer, and has conducted multiple regional, humanitarian and border protection operations. Post service, Sonia joined Boston Consulting Group working for large international and ASX companies and the Australian Government on strategic and commercial matters before joining Ocius in June 2025. Sonia has a passion for the maritime environment and the security of Australia as a maritime nation. She has a Bachelor of Arts (History) (Macquarie University), Bachelor of Laws (UTS), Master of Strategy and Security (UNSW) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) (with Excellence) (AGSM, UNSW).
Alex Rantos – Software Engineering Lead
Alex is an accomplished engineering leader with extensive experience in defence systems, autonomous technologies, and complex software development. He has held senior roles at Anduril Industries and BAE Systems Australia, where he led teams in developing cutting-edge solutions such as underwater acoustic communications, autonomous multi-asset teaming for aerial vehicles, and advanced simulation systems for defence applications. With a strong background in software architecture, systems engineering, and full SDLC management, Alex has successfully delivered mission-critical projects, integrated engineering processes, and importantly he excels in mentoring multidisciplinary teams.
Andrew Madry – Underwater Acoustics Technical Lead
Andrew has an Honours degree in Physics and a PhD in acoustics both from the University of Sydney. His expertise is in acoustics, signal processing, data science and Systems Engineering. He started his career in defence industry working for companies GEC Marconi, Thomson Sintra later becoming Thales. He worked on most of the sonar systems developed in Australia in some capacity. Until recently, Andrew was on the Executive committee of the Systems Engineering Society of Australia.
Bart Caffin – Senior Mechanical Engineer
Bart is a mechanical engineer graduating from the University of Technology Sydney with 20 years’ experience designing consumer products, industrial equipment, medical devices, inertial navigation systems and solar farms. He has won two Australian design awards for combining good design with consideration for production requirements. Bart recently worked at Anduril Australia.
Other new Hires in the last few months we welcome:
Andrew de Roos – Recruitment Officer
Alex Cha-Cha – IT Support Officer
Hayden Floreani – Junior QHSE Officer
Joel Kay - Inventory Officer
Joshua Pongrass – Production Technician
Axel du Plessis – Production Engineer
Waqar Jaffery – Electronics Technician
Awards:
In May, we were humbled and honoured to be nominated and then awarded the Australian Naval Institute’s McNeil Prize at their Annual Dinner in Canberra on 7 May 2025. This was especially meaningful for me, as it came 28 years and one month after we won the solar boat race on Lake Burley Griffin (April 1997), an auspicious event in the history of our Company that set us on this path. The award annually goes to “an individual from Australian industry who has made an outstanding contribution to the capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy”.
I accepted the honour on behalf of the Ocius team with the unwavering support of our shareholders, partners, and friends. Together, we have turned an idea into real capability for the Navy, and this award belongs to all of us. https://navalinstitute.com.au/events/mcneil-prize-archive/
Chief of Australian Defence Force Admiral David Johnston AC, RADM Percival McNeil’s Granddaughter Fiona Blanche, Robert Dane & CEO Synergy Group Australia Michael Mahy
In June, Ocius was also honoured to be awarded the AFR magazine Sustainability Leaders Award sponsored by Schneider Electric. This again represented a circle for Solar Sailor/Ocius from ferries to uncrewed surface vessels. In 2008 Schneider Electric supplied the electric motors and power management equipment to our four Hong Kong Ferries which are still running 365 days per year in HK, between Sai Kung and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Public Golf Course on the island of Kau Sai Chau We thank Schneider Electric very much for their support.
Visit by Thales Australia to Ocius new facility:
On Tuesday 9 Sept, Thales Australia CEO, Jeff Connolly, visited Ocius with the Thales team. Jeff’s visit signifies the renewing of our shared history, working together on trials of two world leading technologies, the Bluebottle USV and Thales’ acoustic sensor technology. This continues our joint efforts in improving surveillance across both surface and sub-surface domains, underpinned by a shared passion to protect Australia’s maritime region.
CEOs Jeff and Robert with staff from Thales and Ocius
USA:
We continue to work closely with our partners Thayer Mahan in the USA, completing various missions with them in USA waters. We have delivered 24-foot TM003 and TM004 to the USA with TM005 and TM006 under production. This week we welcome a team of Thayer Mahan engineers to Australia to prepare for trials here on our Australian Bluebottles.
TM004 being turned on for the very first time: ‘It’s alive’
New Zealand:
The RNZN deployed their 2 Bluebottles TAHI and RUA to FIJI for a one-month mission.
RNZN Personnel with Ocius instructor Dante Olivieri doing maintenance & support training in Auckland.
TAHI masthead view in Fiji waters on a beautiful morning making 2.5 knots towards an island with 10 knot following breeze
Please see local news here: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/07/royal-new-zealand-navy-deploys-bluebottle-usv-to-fiji/
And here https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-and-new-zealand-launch-uncrewed-sea-patrol-mission/
An excerpt here: https://fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-and-new-zealand-launch-uncrewed-sea-patrol-mission/
Fiji’s maritime security has received a major boost, with the deployment of state-of-the-art “Bluebottle” uncrewed vessels from New Zealand. The vessels, which will operate in Fijian waters for the next three months, were launched as part of a growing partnership between the two countries under the Duavata agreement. Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua says the move reflects a united front in addressing modern threats ranging from climate change to transnational crime.
Japan:
A massive thanks to Team Defence Australia (TDA) and Austrade for their support at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Expo in Tokyo in May. Ocius had the honour of welcoming the Japanese Minister of Defence and senior Japan Self-Defence Force (JSDF) leaders to our stand to meet with us and our Japanese Trading House Seisgadget.
Japan Defence Minister General Nakatani visits Ocius at DSEI Photo left to right: Akio Hanaki, General Manager Seisgadget, Air Vice Marshal Gavin Turnbull AM (background), General Nakatani – Japan Minister of Defence, Robert Dane.
We thank our Japan Trading House partners Seisgadget for their support during DSEI and their shared vision for advancing autonomous maritime capability in the Indo-Pacific. The interest in our Bluebottle USVs was clear with strong engagement, productive conversations, and real momentum behind our collaboration.
Australian Ambassador to Japan discusses Bluebottles at DSEI in Tokyo Photo left to right: Robert Dane - CEO Ocius, Justin Hayhurst - Australian Ambassador to Japan, Captain Josh Wilkinson - Australian Defence Attaché to Japan, Air Vice Marshal Gavin Turnbull AM - Team Defence Australia
At Sea Air and Space in Washington in May we were visited by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA). Photo – left to right: Air Vice-Marshal Tim Innes, DSC, CSC, Nick Rozenauers Ocius, Rear Admiral Tori Sasaki (Maritime Project Director of ATLA) Robert Dane Ocius and Rear Admiral Hayami (Liaison Officer at Japanese Embassy of the US) with BBTM001 at Sea Air Space Washington.
19 July 2025 Japanese Self Defence Force (JSDF) visited the Ocius new facility. Photo left to right: Jane MainDonald Chief of Human Resources Ocius, CAPT IWADE Yohei JSDF, Robert Dane & Matty Kete Ocius, LCDR ODAGIRI Nobutaka and CDR MUKAIGAWA Noriaki JSDF, Commander Scott Voysey RAN.
As always, we thank our Board, our exceptional staff and shareholders for their support.
Robert Dane CEO 12 Sept 2025
PS: Please see some recent photos from Bluebottle masthead cameras and shots of BB715 on Sydney Harbour.
Sunset BB703 21 Aug 2025
Sunset BB706 27 Aug 2025
BB BLUEY accompanied by a friend as it changes Area of Operations 28 Aug 2025
BB715 testing on Sydney Harbour
BB715 checking operation of our unique sail joint with the ability to raise, slew, lower and stow our solar sail.
Drone shot off Sydney Heads