Autonomous Marks

In a major innovation, Falmouth Sailing Week 2024 employed remotely controlled marks. In the Bay, seven robotic marks were used in place of the traditional anchored buoys.

This had been made possible with the aid of five key sponsors in an effort to bring the racing during Falmouth Sailing Week into the 21st century. The initiative was driven as a response to feedback from competitors for better options for course laying, together with our commitment to the marine environment.

The 'Bay Bots' are MarkSetBots leased from Fourth Cape Ltd in Cowes.

Traditionally, marks are positioned and anchored by skilled mark layers. With changing conditions, the marks may have to be re-laid, the anchors raised and the mark moved to another position. This takes time and more skill, and increases the waiting time between races. Very occasionally traditional marks can break out from their anchors as the tide rises or the wind speed increases.

The Bots are not anchored and do not have any impact on the seabed. When placed in position, Bots remain in place using a battery-driven electric motor, responding either to commands from an operator on the committee boat teams, or autonomously using their GPS.

Batteries in the Bay Mark Set Bots last up to 8 hours in normal use (with top up using the integral solar panels) but they do need to be fully charged overnight using a normal shore power charging point.

Advantages include: no impact on the seabed; reduction in the amount of fuel required to deploy and to re-site the marks; accurate positioning regardless of tide and wind.

PoFSA intend rolling out this method of course laying to cover Bay and Carrick racing fleets in future years. It takes partnerships to make it all happen. In 2024 we had the support of Cornish Lithium PLC in Penryn who are at the forefront of the sustainable and environmentally responsible Lithium extraction industry in the UK. Similarly Cornwall Council through the Fal and Helford S106 fund, which helps to protect the habitats and features from recreational pressures, have chosen to support the PoFSA initiative. Pendennis Shipyard Ltd and Mylor Chandlery and Rigging have also shown their support of local sailing events for many years. They have stepped up once again to champion racing in Falmouth. Further afield, Marlow Ropes from East Sussex are committed to supporting the marine scene and were welcomed as first time sponsors in 2024.

The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club provides the berthing and charging facilities for the seven MarkSetBots throughout the week.

In 2025 we plan to repeat 2024's hugely successfull deployment of the MarkSetBots.