That's why the Dutch startup RanMarine Technology is showing the WasteShark USV (Unmanned Surface Vessel) at Miami Boat Show 2023, a floating drone designed to remove harmful plastic waste from waters and return it to shore before it can do damage.

TenderShark’s features

RanMarine will also introduce the TenderShark, which is designed to service the boating community. This versatile ‘mini’ tender is designed to carry light cargo loads efficiently and effectively from ship to shore, and vice-versa. Together with transporting loads in an environmental manner you have the option for simultaneously collecting floating waste, allowing all marine vessel operators/owners to assist in the fight against plastic. In addition, this model can be used to transport goods in natural disaster areas, ensuring safe and quick transport to difficult to reach areas.

WasteShark's features

With 180 litres (47.5 gallons) of capacity and an 8-hour runtime, this hardworking robot can remove 500kg (1100lb) of waste a day. The WasteShark is also easy to use and deploy. Using 4G onboard communications and an easy setup process, launching multiple drones has been made deliberately simple and easy for customers. Additionally, the drone uses advanced battery technology ensuring emission-free operation on the water, and not adding to the water’s pollution. This makes the WasteShark one of the solutions leading the way in the fight against plastic.

Water quality analysis

The WasteShark is designed to intelligently harvest plastic and biomass waste from urban waterways in smart cities, ports and ports. In addition to waste harvesting the drone also collects critical water quality data. The drone can be controlled directly by an operator or used in Autonomous mode. In this latter scenario, users can set the route and mission remotely via an online dashboard.

Upcoming and new products

In addition to the WasteShark and the TenderShark, additional products include the SharkPod, the world's first autonomous floating docking station for waste-clearing drones. With the ability to deploy, dock and charge up to five WasteShark drones at any time, this latest tool in pollution-fighting technology will enable ports, harbours and cities to operate a 24-hour autonomous solution to remove floating waste from the water.

Another product to be introduced in 2023 is the MegaShark, designed to harvest waste from our waterways using powerful suction jets to increase waste capture in difficult to reach chokeholds. With a shallow draft, the vessel emits less drag which improves efficiency and battery life. The MegaShark is easy to operate: an operator is able to manage the drone comfortably by standing or sitting on the vessel itself or operating remotely on the side-lines. Additionally, the drone has eight hours running time (electric) and uses advanced battery technology - ensuring emission-free operation on the water, and not polluting the environment any further.

New approach to current problems

The brainchild of RanMarine Founder and CEO Richard Hardiman: “We have an epic battle on our hands. Current technologies are simply not working, we need a modern approach to a modern problem, and for me robots and autonomous drones were an easy and simple answer. Of course, it’s critical to create policies and strategies to stop plastic waste from entering our waterways as a primary strategy. Our WasteSharks offer a pragmatic solution for cleaning up the existing mess that is perpetuated on a daily basis, and effectively prevent waste from reaching the open ocean.”

Existing customers

RanMarine’s robotic products are designed to remove plastic waste and biomass such as algae from waterways; their clients span over twelve territories and are made up of civic and commercial entities including the Port of Houston, Disney theme parks, the United Nations, and local and state authorities worldwide.