Bachelor project delivers innovative research platform for Havstovan

Ólavur Í Geil
16 hours ago
2 min read

Last year, engineering student Jákup Jógvansson Clementsen approached Havstovan to ask whether the institute had a project suitable for his bachelor’s thesis. Havstovan had, for several years, kept a scale model of the research vessel Jákup Sverri with the idea of one day deploying it using modern drone technology as a research platform for conducting echo-sounder surveys close to shore, in fjords, and in narrow channels.

To move this idea forward, a project brief was developed. The goal was clear:enable the model to sail autonomously while simultaneously collecting echo‑sounder data.

Jákup’s thesis was titled:“Control System for an Autonomous Surface Drone, in collaboration with Havstovan.”Such a vessel is known internationally as an ASV – Autonomous Surface Vehicle.

Successful Sea Trials

The project began in December 2025, and on 23 February 2026 the ASV was launched for the very first time. During its maiden voyage, the vessel successfully demonstrated its ability to operate as intended and to collect its initial echo‑sounder data.

A final test was later carried out in Vestmanna, where a dedicated test area and route lines were prepared for the ASV to navigate autonomously. The echo‑sounder was activated, and the vessel was sent off. With a fresh northerly breeze of 7–8 m/s, there was considerable anticipation about how the system would perform.

The trial was a success:the ASV returned safely to shore with complete and usable data.

Jákup also produced a film documenting the performance of the system in full.

Introducing “Lítli Jákup”

Havstovan’s new research platform has been named “Lítli Jákup.”With this addition, the institute now has yet another powerful tool for conducting coastal research — and it will be exciting to see how this technology will be used in the future.

On 25 March 2026, Jákup Jógvansson Clementsen defended his bachelor’s thesis at DTU (Technical University of Denmark).

Havstovan extends its thanks to Jákup for his exemplary work and congratulates him on completing his degree, wishing him all the best in the years ahead.