May 2025 Update

12 May, 2025

/Chloe Beaumont

May 2025 Update

Dear all,

I am pleased to announce:

AUSTRALIA

Operation Resolute further contract extension

This week, we signed a contract extension for our Operation Resolute operations out of Darwin with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in collaboration with Maritime Border Command and the Australian Border Force. This is the largest contract Ocius has signed to date.

While details remain confidential, it is publicly known that since 1 July 2024, Ocius has been operating Bluebottles 24/7 from a facility on base at HMAS Coonawarra Darwin. The contract was extended in November 2024 to June 2025 and has now been further extended to June 30 2026. The contract extension includes expanding the fleet, adding new larger BETH 2.0 vessels and testing new payloads and communications.

We are steadily clocking up nautical miles at sea – now over 85,000 – with the average time at sea before recall currently 45 days and the longest time at sea so far being 107 days. This persistence complements other assets operating to our North.

Bluebottle BRIZO passing AS Vessel Centaur II - photo from another Bluebottle — Bluebottle BRIZO passing AS Vessel Centaur II – photo from another Bluebottle

As we are now Navy Registered Vessels, importantly we no longer require approval from the Port of Darwin for launch and recovery, which our Darwin Marine Support crew is performing professionally and routinely from the main boat ramp at HMAS Coonawarra.

BB707 photo from deck camera coming into Darwin after 107 days at sea

Further contracts with Maritime Integrated Capability Branch (MIC Branch) to test payloads

I am also pleased to announce last week we signed two further contracts with MIC Branch to install, commission and test payloads on Bluebottles. We have successfully demonstrated similar payloads before at Autonomous Warrior exercises but this time it will be in operations out of Darwin in the second half of 2025. There is a lot to do for our engineers and a vast difference between a demonstration and a capability, but if successful in real time operations this will greatly enhance Bluebottles usefulness for Navies globally.

New Head of Engineering

This quarter we are very pleased to welcome our new Head of Engineering, Brian Gordon. Brian is a great addition to our team.

Brian Gordon - Head of Engineering — Brian Gordon – Head of Engineering

Brian has over 20 years of experience in engineering and technology development. His experience includes leading R&D at Advanced Navigation, where he oversaw the successful launch of key products like Hydrus, an autonomous underwater drone. He also served as CTO at Bionic Vision Technologies, spearheading the development of a vision-restoring implant, directed R&D at RØDE Microphones, and held engineering leadership roles at Cochlear. Brian holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics), a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing/Economics), and is a certified Project Management Professional.

BELLONA back in Australia and deployed by Marine Parks Australia.

After successful seven months of trials in New Zealand, 22’ BELLONA is back in Australia being deployed over the Easter and Anzac Day Holidays off Coffs Harbour under a further contract with Marine Parks Australia to ‘monitor’ Australians illegally fishing in Marine Parks.

BELLONA deploying out of Coffs Harbour – at first the weather was perfect for holiday fishing

First weekend – Sea State 7 (Gale and strong Gale conditions) - so no one out fishing for BELLONA to ‘monitor’ — First weekend – Sea State 7 (Gale and strong Gale conditions) – so no one out fishing for BELLONA to ‘monitor’

2025 NAVY WEEK

RAN requested Ocius to display a Navy Registered Vessel ‘grey’ Bluebottle outside Russell HQ Canberra.

USA

Our partners in the USA, Thayer Mahan have been testing Bluebottles BETH and BONNIE combined with their Outpost undersea surveillance system in Atlantic Ocean conditions.

BONNIE returning home to Connecticut from Fort Lauderdale after trials in consistent 30 knots + winds

In the recent exercise above, BONNIE was driven by a SUV to Fort Lauderdale, launched from a boat ramp with the crew and trailer before returning to Connecticut. BONNIE performed a multiday demonstration with the Outpost system and then sailed home to Connecticut in 30 days of 35-50 knots winds.

BONNIE launched off Fort Lauderdale 11 March 2025 with a storm sail (due to predicted conditions) which enables her to sail in 35 knot winds while towing an array at calm depths

Heading home – 50 knots with storm sail down

Christening TM001 in Washington 8 April 2025

In a highlight for our USA marketing, an official christening of BB TM001 was performed by Congressman Joe Courtney at the 2025 Sea Air Space Exhibition in Washington and attended by Ambassador Rudd.

Ambassador Rudd, Congressman Joe Courtney, Robert Dane and Vice Admiral (ret) Mike Connor CEO of Thayer Mahan.

See press release –

https://www.ocius.com.au/blog/20250415ThayerMahanOutpost_PressRelease/

New Zealand

Following the successful 7-month trial with 22’ BELLONA, the Royal New Zealand has taken delivery of two 24’ BETH 2.0 vessels. We christened the first TAHI at our AGM in November and last Tuesday 8 April, the RNZN christened the second RUA in an official ceremony in Auckland.

https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/navy/navy-news/defence-and-customs-strengthen-maritime-security-with-uncrewed-surface-vessels/

and see this press release and video.

https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/04/15/new-uncrewed-vessels-unveiled-to-help-tackle-transnational-crime/

Thank You

I would like to acknowledge our fantastic staff at every level who have been extremely busy this year with our move into a new state-of-the-art facility in Alexandria, while maintaining a steady ‘drumbeat’ of building Bluebottles for our customers in Australia, New Zealand, and the USA and sustaining and operating Bluebottles out of Darwin.