Alameda’s Saildrone specializes in uncrewed aircraft’s cousins on water

Saildrone, a leading maker of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) based in Alameda, California, produces wind- and solar-powered drones that collect ocean data for government and commercial clients, including hurricane research for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration since 2021. In October 2024, a Saildrone USV helped the U.S. Navy intercept a ship smuggling $81 million worth of cocaine, and its vehicles assist the U.S. Coast Guard in combating illegal fishing. The company assures Alameda residents that local USVs are only for testing and are not equipped for surveillance of individuals.

Getting your Trinity Audio //trinityaudio.ai player ready...Perhaps lesser known drones are the ones that venture out onto the open waters known as “Unmanned Surface Vehicles” USVs , and Alameda plays a key role in their technology’s development as the home of Saildrone — one of the world’s leading makers of USVs. Like the name “Band Aid,” “Saildrone” almost qualifies as a standard generic name for the uncrewed vessels that collect data above and below the ocean’s surface. “Saildrone USVs help government and commercial customers better understand maritime activity, ocean conditions and the seafloor,” according to the company. “Data is streamed from anywhere in the ocean directly into our customers’ critical workflows, enhancing situational awareness and understanding.” Also, unlike airborne drones, their waterborne cousins can stay out longer. “Saildrone vehicles are distinguished by their rigid wings, which harness wind for propulsion, supported by solar power and conventional engines depending on the platform and mission,” according to Saildrone. “This enables them to remain at sea for extended periods while carrying a range of instruments for observing ocean conditions and maritime activity. “Airborne drones typically operate for much shorter periods and are more constrained by battery life, range and payload weight.” One of the more important aspects of Saildrone’s work is gathering data that helps detect extreme weather events such as hurricanes sooner. Since 2021, the company has supported the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s hurricane research by collecting data from inside tropical storms. “This helps scientists improve their understanding and forecasting of dangerous weather, giving the general public more time to adequately prepare,” according to the company. The data Saildrone collects also aids military and law enforcement efforts. Last October, a Saildrone USV helped the U.S. Navy detect and a stop a ship trying to smuggle $81 million worth of cocaine into the United States. “This successful detection and interdiction is proof of Saildrone’s enduring and unmatched maritime domain awareness capability and reflects the ongoing work of Navy operators to integrate unmanned systems into daily operations,” according to Saildrone. A fleet of Saildrone USVs is also deployed in the Great Lakes and Northeast, where they assist the U.S. Coast Guard in their fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. While the word “drone” can conjure up concerns over whether or not they are being used to spy on the public, Saildrone clarifies that its vehicles stationed at Alameda Point the former U.S. Naval Air Station Alameda are doing nothing of the sort. “Alamedans do not need to be concerned about the presence of Saildrone USVs. Saildrone vehicles operating locally are undergoing testing and are not equipped for the surveillance of Alameda individuals. Our systems are designed for maritime applications and are operated in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and customer requirements,” according to the company. Saildrone officials add that while the company supports “the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and other government customers around the world,” its USVs undergoing testing near Alameda “are not conducting operational missions. Our vehicles’ distinctive appearance naturally generates interest and curiosity, and we are proud to be part of Alameda’s community of innovative maritime and technology businesses. Many Saildrone employees live on the Island and participate in local traditions and community activities, including Alameda’s Fourth of July Parade.” Abby Thorne-Lyman, who heads the city of Alameda’s Base Reuse and Economic Development Department, says Saildrone, an Alameda Point tenant since 2012, and its distinctive USVs have become part of the landscape. “They’re certainly iconic. When I go down the Seaplane Lagoon and see their drones floating in the water — it’s part of the look now,” says Thorne-Lyman. “They’ve been there long enough that it’s sort of expected that you would see them testing in the water. And it is reflective of the kinds of industries that Alameda Point’s looking to have. We call it Blue Tech, one of Alameda’s priority sectors. That’s what they do. “They’re doing research and development related to the maritime industry. We have a lot of drone companies. We’ve got Saildrone, we’ve got Pyka, we’ve got Rain. And what I’ve heard from the other companies that have been more recent tenants of ours is it’s really just the space that we have that is pretty unusual for the Bay Area. “It’s the centrality to the skilled labor force that they need and these 40-, 50-foot height buildings, because the Navy was building airplanes in these hangars. It’s the perfect fit.” For more information on Saildrone, visit their website at saildrone.com https://saildrone.com . Paul Kilduff is a San Francisco-based writer who also draws cartoons. He can be reached at pkilduff350@gmail.com.