SeaRush – Innovating through trial and error
Conference/JournalMARIN Report 148
Date10 Sep 2026
Can innovation succeed by simply starting, choosing the most challenging path, ignoring established routes, and embracing setbacks as valuable input - all under extreme time pressure? Project SeaRush suggests that it can.
The SeaRush project began in 2024, when the Dutch Ministry of Defence asked MARIN to help develop an ecosystem for the scalable production of affordable uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). This is the story of a team that refused to accept ‘no’ as an answer.
Faced with rising global tensions and labour shortages, the Royal Netherlands Navy is exploring operational concepts in which uncrewed vessels work alongside crewed ones. The aim is rapid, iterative innovation through new production methods, modular technology, and collaboration with non-traditional partners.
The SeaRush project began in 2024, when the Dutch Ministry of Defence asked MARIN to help develop an ecosystem for the scalable production of affordable uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). This is the story of a team that refused to accept ‘no’ as an answer.
Faced with rising global tensions and labour shortages, the Royal Netherlands Navy is exploring operational concepts in which uncrewed vessels work alongside crewed ones. The aim is rapid, iterative innovation through new production methods, modular technology, and collaboration with non-traditional partners.
Contact
Egbert Ypma
senior project manager
A race against time
In early 2026, the urgency increased dramatically. The Ministry of Defence planned to demonstrate coordinated operations of multiple USVs during the Maritime Uncrewed Sea Trials (MUST) in June. Two new prototypes, FENDER 1 and 2, had to be ready on time.
The team constantly pushed limits—technical, regulatory, and organisational. Questions ranged from insurance and communication frequencies to compliance with autonomous sailing regulations. However, these challenges also created opportunities. For example, 3D printing enabled longitudinal structural elements to be integrated into the hull, allowing lighter construction and multifunctional use such as cable routing.
The team constantly pushed limits—technical, regulatory, and organisational. Questions ranged from insurance and communication frequencies to compliance with autonomous sailing regulations. However, these challenges also created opportunities. For example, 3D printing enabled longitudinal structural elements to be integrated into the hull, allowing lighter construction and multifunctional use such as cable routing.
The second model during a test run on the Rhine