Official travel to Sydney: The Administrator visits OCIUS Technology

The Administrator, accompanied by Ms Sue Brosnan OLY, met with Mr Robert Dane, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of OCIUS Technology, and Mr Rob Brezniak, Chief Growth and Market Development Officer, during their first interstate visit since taking office.

The visit followed an earlier meeting with the Darwin-based OCIUS team and provided an opportunity to learn more about the groundbreaking work being undertaken by the 100% Australian-owned company, which is leading the way in uncrewed maritime technology.

OCIUS is the developer of the Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessel (USV), often described as a 'satellite of the sea'. Designed for continuous autonomous operations, Bluebottles provide low-observable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities across vast maritime environments.

His Honour was particularly interested to hear how Bluebottles are already supporting maritime patrol operations off the Top End coastline in partnership with Australian maritime authorities and had the opportunity to witness in real time, 3 Bluebottles operating in Northern Territory waters.

With 15 vessels already in service and a recent $176 million federal contract awarded to deliver a further 40 Bluebottles for the expanding Australian Navy fleet, OCIUS continues to demonstrate world-leading Australian innovation in defence, surveillance and autonomous technologies.

From day one, the company has been developing cutting-edge capabilities, with its vessels proving their resilience in some of the world's harshest conditions, including surviving a Category 6 hurricane in the United States.

His Honour was delighted to meet the team behind this extraordinary Australian success story and to see firsthand how Top End waters are playing a role in the development and deployment of technology that is helping safeguard Australia's maritime borders and national interests.