At SubOptic 2025, Jean-Charles Gondet, Global Private Sector Manager at Unseenlabs, presented the results of our RF data collection campaign in the Celtic Sea. The mission focused on enhancing the protection of subsea cables in the region, demonstrating how RF intelligence can uncover dark vessel activity and strengthen the security of vital underwater infrastructure.

Unseenlabs’ Final Paper

This paper highlights the growing importance of maritime surveillance in response to increasing global maritime traffic and the rapid expansion of subsea cable infrastructure. While the Automatic Identification System (AIS) was initially developed to enhance navigational safety, it faces significant limitations—including signal congestion, spoofing, and coverage gaps. Radio frequency (RF) detection offers a powerful complementary solution, capable of identifying all vessels, including those that operate without AIS—so-called “dark vessels.” An RF data collection campaign conducted in the Celtic Sea between October and December 2024 revealed key insights, including the presence of undetected dark vessels. The study demonstrates how RF intelligence strengthens subsea cable security by supporting installation efforts, enabling effective oversight, and improving incident response—ultimately enhancing the efficiency and reliability of subsea operations.

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