Plymouth firms robotic boat crosses Atlantic ocean unaided

A robotic sailing boat built by Oshen, a Plymouth-based maritime technology company, has completed a solo Atlantic crossing without human intervention. The C-Star PC13, just 4 feet (1.2 meters) long, finished the Microtransat Challenge by crossing the finish line east of Barbados on 13 September, after departing Gran Canaria on 7 May. Oshen said the craft covered 2,926 nautical miles (5,400 km) and was the first team to complete the challenge with independent operation. Powered by solar panels, it used electricity for sensors and to adjust its fixed sail for wind conditions. CEO and co-founder Anahita Laverack said earlier attempts failed, including one mast mechanism failure after 220 days. Oshen plans to collect data from the mission and then retire the vessel at a turtle sanctuary in Barbados.