25. júl. 2025
Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) are no longer niche, they’re rapidly becoming an essential part of modern maritime operations.
From offshore infrastructure inspections to environmental monitoring, defence, and surveillance missions, USVs offer unmatched benefits in efficiency, cost reduction, and crew safety. But with this technological shift comes new challenges.
Operating remotely at high speeds and in dynamic marine environments requires more than traditional navigation tools. To navigate safely and perform reliably, USVs must be equipped with systems that enable real-time awareness and autonomous decision-making.
That’s where Hefring Marine’s Intelligent Marine Assistance System (IMAS) steps in. Designed to enhance autonomous marine navigation and improve operational safety, IMAS is helping usher in the next generation of intelligent, uncrewed maritime systems.
The Challenge of Situational Awareness in Uncrewed Marine Operations
For all their advantages, unmanned surface vehicles still face unique operational hazards.
These include:
Non-AIS targets such as small boats or buoys
Rapid changes in sea state that affect manoeuvrability
Low visibility conditions, from fog to night-time operations
These risks are heightened by the limited situational awareness remote operators face. Without being physically present onboard, pilots must rely entirely on tools like video feeds and radar signals, systems that offer only a partial view of the operational environment.
The result? A growing number of incidents, like the 2025 USV collision off California’s coast, are raising serious concerns about safety.
This is why USV situational awareness is now a critical area of innovation, and why IMAS was evolved for USV use..
What is IMAS? The Intelligent Marine Assistance System by Hefring Marine
IMAS is the most advanced maritime intelligence system, developed by Hefring Marine to enhance the safety, performance, and situational awareness of both manned and unmanned vessels. Originally designed for high-speed crewed boats, IMAS has since evolved to meet the complex operational needs of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), adding an intelligent safety layer that bridges the situational awareness gap in remote operations through real-time, adaptive speed control.
Core capabilities include:
Intelligent speed control guidance for improved safety, efficiency, and vessel handling
AI-driven decision support, enabling proactive and context-aware speed regulation
Integrated sensor systems and real-time motion data to help remote operators manage weather and sea state challenges with greater confidence
Engineered to support autonomy, coordinated fleet operations, and safety-critical performance, IMAS is transforming the future of intelligent marine navigation.
Key Features of IMAS for USV Integration
IMAS is engineered to integrate easily into existing and next-generation USV platforms.
Its key features include:
Passive, non-emitting sensor systems for stealth operations and defence-oriented missions
Consumes industry standard protocols, making integration seamless.
With its advanced features and robust analytics engine, IMAS significantly enhances autonomous vessel safety by providing precise real-time monitoring, intelligent decision support, and adaptive control capabilities. At the same time, it simplifies operations by automating complex tasks, reducing the cognitive load on remote operators, and seamlessly integrating with existing marine systems, enabling safer, more efficient, and more reliable vessel management.
Use Cases for IMAS-Enabled Unmanned Surface Vehicles
By strengthening USV situational awareness, IMAS supports a range of high-value maritime applications:
Offshore infrastructure inspection
Autonomous maritime surveillance (ISR, ISAR, ISTAR)and other defence applications
Oceanographic research and remote environmental monitoring
Search and rescue (SAR) operations
Whether navigating complex coastal zones or operating in open ocean conditions, unmanned surface vehicles for defence and commercial use benefit from IMAS’ predictive intelligence and environmental insight.
Why IMAS Gives USVs a Competitive Edge
USVs equipped with IMAS deliver safer, smarter operations across every mission profile.
Advantages include:
Improved navigation in unpredictable or low-visibility environments
Extended mission range and smarter energy usage with eco speed.
By enabling safer, more resilient USV operations, IMAS helps unlock the full value of autonomy at sea.
Explore IMAS: The Next Step in Maritime Autonomy
The future of unmanned marine operations depends on systems that go beyond basic control. With IMAS, Hefring Marine is setting a new standard in intelligent maritime support, equipping USVs to operate independently, safely, and effectively in a wide range of conditions.
Get in touch to learn more about how iMAS can transform your autonomous marine capabilities.