# Coast Guard Evaluates Great Lakes Autonomous Vessels

The U.S. Coast Guard completed an April–November 2026 evaluation of six Saildrone Voyager unmanned surface vehicles on the Great Lakes, using the vessels to collect weather and operational data for maritime missions. The Coast Guard plans another evaluation period in spring 2027. This is a technology-testing and market-validation signal, not an announced solicitation; no contract value, number, or procurement contact was provided.

- The evaluation shows Coast Guard interest in autonomous platforms that can deliver weather and operational data in a freshwater operating environment.
- Companies developing unmanned maritime systems, sensors, or related data capabilities can use the stated mission applications to assess how their offerings align with Coast Guard needs.
- The planned spring 2027 evaluation creates a potential future engagement point, but the signal does not establish a procurement schedule or confirm that a competition will follow.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Transportation
**Published:** November 09, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
- Great Lakes District

### Vendors
- Saildrone ()

### Key Quotes
> Our scheduled seasonal deployment of six Saildrone unmanned surface vehicles on the Great Lakes provided valuable insight into how autonomous platforms support Coast Guard missions in a freshwater environment.
> — Rear Adm. Russell Dash, Commander, Great Lakes District

### Sources
- [
	Coast Guard concludes seasonal autonomous vessel evaluation on Great Lakes > United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases
](https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4644757/coast-guard-concludes-seasonal-autonomous-vessel-evaluation-on-great-lakes/) - USCG