MAYFLOWER 400

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Autonomous ship reached Halifax

The "Mayflower 400" has arrived in Halifax on June 5 after some difficulties. She was originally slated to arrive in Massachusetts, but was rerouted to Halifax due to computer and electrical issues about 1,600 kilometres west of the Azores because it was the closest port of refuge. The team took an opportunity to get a tow from a Dominion Diving vessel about 300 kilometres from shore. From May 11 until May 20 it had already been repaired in Horta. Report with photo: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mayflower-autonomous-ship-halifax-1.6478271

Autonomous vessel suffered generator system malfunction

The Atlantic crossing of 'Mayflower 400 (Mayflower Autonomous Ship - MAS)' had once again to be interrupted due to a malfunction in the generator system on May 29. A problem occurred in the charging circuit for the starter batteries. The team therefore decided a day later to switch to the backup navigation PC. IBM's systems would continue to function. Mevertheless, the Promare project team decided to order the ship into the port of Halifax. The cause of the error should be investigated and corrected there. Already in mid-May 2022 the fully autonomous trimaran, equipped by IBM and managed by the non-profit association Promare, had to interrupt its attempted Atlantic crossing due to a generator problem. She had previously resumed it at the end of April after a long break since mid-2021. The 'Mayflower 400' is expected in Halifax around June 4/5. Until then, however, the autonomous systems continued to be tested. The troubles and the diversion to the Port of Halifax are delaying the arrival of the 'Mayflower 400' in Washington DC. She was already delayed 16 days after the last bug was fixed on May 20. Now Promare does not give a new arrival date. First, the investigations on the ship have to be completed and the errors have to be completely eliminated.

Autonomous ship suffered mechanical failure

On May 9, 2022 it was reported that the US flagged trimaran 'Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS 400)' (MMSI:368199920) has developed a mechanical issue with its generator. The project lead, ProMare, made the decision to bring the ship to Horta to investigate and fix it. It arrived on May 11. The IBM technology remained functioning. The team hoped to be back underway with the transatlantic crossing as soon as possible. The unmanned boat had sailed from Plymouth on Nov 4, 2021, and is trying to reach the USA. It remained stationary in Horta as of May 16.