Strange uncrewed boat roaming Pamlico Sound along NC coast explained by scientists

A strange boat with no one aboard is being seen along the North Carolina coast, and scientists are offering an explanation.

It may resemble a small pontoon boat that’s about 8 feet long, but it’s actually a robotic craft.

N.C. State University’s Department of Marine Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is behind the deployment and says the Sea Robotics vessel is most likely to be seen moving across the northern Pamlico Sound.

Why?

The vessel’s sonar technology is “mapping planted clutch oyster reefs” on the floor of the sound.

“This data will help scientists better understand how these oyster reefs are changing from year to year,” officials said in a June 19 Facebook post.

Details of the study were not released, including dates the vessel may be in the sound.

North Carolina’s coastal waters support a “$30 million oyster industry” predicted to reach $100 million by 2030, according to NC Oyster Trail.

The heavily fished Pamlico Sound plays a key role in the industry. It sits between the mainland and the Outer Banks.

This story was originally published June 21, 2023 at 7:17 AM with the headline "Strange uncrewed boat roaming Pamlico Sound along NC coast explained by scientists."