A research team from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has been awarded funding for a “next-generation” maritime situational awareness project to strengthen Ireland’s naval security.
The Sea-Scan team led by TCD’s Prof Marco Ruffini and Dr John Kennedy and Defence Forces liaison Cdr Cathal Power will develop an AI-enhanced real-time vessel detection system to support early warning of “dark” vessels in Irish waters.
Prof Ruffini says the system will use signals from existing cables laid in the last ten to 20 years in Irish waters to reconstruct acoustic sound.
Cable Watch — Minister Helen McEntee TD, Prof Marco Ruffini (TCD), Dr John Kennedy (TCD) and Cdr Cathal Power at the Sea-Scan AI vessel detection funding announcement
He said that AI will process signals picked up by a hardware device used in the project, known as distributed acoustic sensing, and the plan is to develop interpretation in “real time”.
The project represents an important opportunity to enhance Ireland’s ability to monitor maritime activity, including the detection of so-called “dark” vessels, strengthening both national security and economic resilience.
Beyond security, the system also has potential applications in environmental monitoring, contributing to a broader national resilience, his team says.
Rapid Response — Dr Daniel McCrum (UCD), Minister James Lawless TD, Dr Kevin Roche (UCD) and Capt Dave McKenna at the award presentation for the MASH modular shelter project.
Prof Ruffini’s team has a year to develop the software under the funding it secured through the Maritime Situational Awareness Challenge.
The MASH – Mobile Adaptable SHelter team, led by Dr Daniel McCrum and Dr Kevin Roche, University College Dublin and Defence Forces liaison Capt Dave McKenna, has been awarded runner-up funding.
Current deployable shelters used by the Defence Forces are slow to erect and require large, specialised teams. The MASH team is developing a modular, rapidly deployable, multi-purpose shelter system for defence and humanitarian needs - combining speed, safety, durability, and adaptability for global impact.
The winners have been congratulated by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless and Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee who announced over €1.8 million in prize phase funding under the co-funded Research Ireland – Defence Innovation Challenge.
The aim of the innovation challenge is to develop new technologies, aligned with national defence policy, that have strong potential to deliver significant beneficial societal impact for Ireland.
The programme comprises three phases (following application): Concept (3-months), Seed (9-months) and Prize Award (up to 2-years).
All successful teams at application stage are awarded funding of up to €220k, and finalists compete for the final prize fund.
