A Cargo-Carrying Catamaran

An autonomous sailboat could resupply Marines in conflict zones.

Ateam of engineering seniors designed, built and tested a low-cost, energyefficient vessel that can carry more than 60 pounds of cargo and serve as a lifesustaining link for Marines on shore during dangerous missions. The project won one of the two Excellence in Capstone Engineering awards at the Huff OEDK Showcase this year. Says team member Oli MacGregor, “This is the first autonomous catamaran sail design that we know of that’s intended to bear load.”

The vessel was inspired by the team’s sponsor, Marine Corps Lt. Col. Thomas Kline. “The central idea is to make an adversary choose whether or not to use expensive weapons on cheap targets,” Kline says. “If they do not, Marines get resupplied. If they do, but some sailboats get through, Marines get resupplied. Win-win.”

Robocontrolled Sail Navigates straight ahead in favorable conditions but zigzags when sailing against the wind.

Solar Panels

Produce plenty of electricity and store the excess in on-board batteries for cloudy weather or nighttime sailing.

Low-cost Materials

Wood and other budget components deliver a high cost-toefficiency ratio.

Iridium Satellite Module Provides a data link from anywhere on Earth.

Dual Hulls Provide 3.5 cubic feet of watertight storage and enough buoyancy for 60-plus pounds of cargo.

GPS Antenna Receives and amplifies GPS satellite array signals to allow the boat to navigate.

Wind Direction Sensor Determines optimal course of navigation.