“Creating history, not recreating it” were the words of Professor Martin Attrill, Director of the Marine Institute at Plymouth University. Certainly a cause worth striving for by the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) makers.

At the end of October we were invited to attend a launch of a crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise some of the £10 million needed to turn this beautiful design into reality. Rotec are going to join the adventure by making a donation but also contributing with their expertise, lending their engineers to the project, and becoming one of the main suppliers.

The benefits of this donation include:

Mayflower Autonomous Ship

* Witnessing the arrival of the MAS400 (flight provided).
* Thanks across our social media platforms, website and automatic registration to receive the monthly newsletter.
* A signed letter of thanks from the MAS team on watermarked paper.
* A Mayflower 400 T Shirt & entry to the exclusive draw where the winner will get VIP ticket (reward price £1000) to the launch of the Mayflower 400 in 2020.
*Rotec’s name ‘on board’
*A tour of the MAS to include signed photograph.
* Exclusive invitation to the MAS champagne hosted reception/unveiling.
* Exclusive invitation to the VIP Launch of the MAS 2020.

See how you could support the project and what benefits are available in return: JOIN THE CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN

Listen to what Radio Plymouth and some of the attendees had to say about the event (comment from Rotec’s own Dave Nance at 1:50):

The research vessel is projected to sail in 2020, celebrating 400 years since the pilgrims set off of the shores of Plymouth for the New World. The project is more than just a leap of faith. It is a well-researched (ad)venture potentially benefiting a number of industries, virtually catapulting the marine industry into 21st century. Needless to say Rotec are truly excited to be a part of this project.

Plymouth university, MSubs , ProMare and Shuttleworth Design, teamed up to build the third Mayflower “ushering us into a new phase of oceanographic and climatological research with state-of-the-art technology.” (Brett Phaneuf, Managing Director – MSubs)

The estimated vessel length is 32.5 meters, with top speed of 12.5 knots. But speed is not the goal here, as Orion Shuttleworth reminds us, “The design is focused on the ship’s ability to conduct a variety of scientific researches, being powered by renewable energy”

Mayflower Autonomous Ship

Paddy Dowsett – Project Manager, MSubs says:

“This project brings a number of new  technologies together in a way that hasn’t been done before. There are some smaller autonomous crafts in existence, however nothing anywhere near this scale in terms of size and technicality.”

The Earl and Countess of Devon also spoke at the event, explaining why Plymouth is the perfect place for the project.

“Plymouth has served as the last stop for ships before setting off on a long journey for centuries. It has always been a unique place with the capacity to supply the necessary skills, stock and supplies to help adventurers through their treacherous journeys.”

The launch is expected to shine a spotlight on the coastal city, attracting a lot of public interest within the UK and the USA.