M259-26 River Tamar, Beauty Point and West Arm – Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Deployment

M259-26 River Tamar, Beauty Point and West Arm – Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Deployment

Mariners are advised that an untethered autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) will be deployed in the vicinity of Beauty Point and West Arm on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, between 0900 and 1700 hours.

The AUV will conduct a series of manoeuvres below the water surface within the deployment area as part of a training exercise. During the deployment, it will surface briefly for periods of less than 10 minutes every 30 minutes to acquire a GPS fix.

The standby vessel Tapilti will be on site during these planned surfacings and will display flag ALPHA. The vessel will also contact approaching surface vessels on VHF Channels 14 and 16.
The AUV may also surface unexpectedly. Vessels approaching the reported location of the AUV may be contacted on VHF Channel 16 and requested to alter course where there is a risk of collision.

Mariners should navigate the area with caution.

Tapilti

AUV