Reach Subsea has been granted a Letter of Approval by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for the operation of its uncrewed surface vessel, Reach Remote 1, in UK waters.
The assessment confirms that the vessel’s concept, operational framework, risk management processes, and verification activities associated with remote operations have been thoroughly reviewed and accepted. The MCA has determined that these measures deliver a level of safety at least equivalent to that required under applicable International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments and regulations, as administered by the Norwegian Maritime Authority.
This approval represents a significant milestone for Reach Remote and for the wider adoption of uncrewed subsea operations. Authorisation to operate in UK territorial waters demonstrates that Reach Remote 1 meets some of the most rigorous maritime safety and compliance standards globally, providing strong validation of both the technology and the operational model.
With approvals now secured in Norway for European trade, as well as in Australia and the UK, Reach Remote continues to demonstrate that uncrewed subsea operations can meet, and exceed, regulatory expectations across multiple jurisdictions. This achievement substantially reduces barriers for future approvals and aligns closely with the ambitions set out in the North Sea MASS Memorandum of Understanding.
Reach Remote 1 now stands as a leading reference case for how the principles of the MASS MOU can be successfully implemented in practice.
Looking Ahead in the UK Market
Reach Subsea UK looks forward to bringing this capability to its key clients across the region. The introduction of Reach Remote 1 enables a step change in subsea operations, offering an uncrewed solution capable of operating within operational envelopes comparable to large DP2
ROV support vessels.
Alastair McKie, Managing Director UK said “By combining advanced remote operations with a highly efficient platform, Reach Subsea UK is well positioned to deliver safe, flexible, and costeffective subsea services, expanding access to high-performance offshore capabilities while reducing operational and environmental footprints”.