The objectives of the project are to design, develop, and test the systems that are required for the operation of a long range autonomous oceanographic vessel. This is an innovative concept worldwide. The project addresses a wide range of issues that include: i) vehicle design, ii) propulsion, iii) communications, iv) obstacle detection and avoidance, v) navigation, and v) advanced systems for vehicle and mission control. In a representative mission scenario the vehicle will be required to traverse a specified area and collect and transmit selected oceanographic data to a support unit. The vehicle can be operated in a fully autonomous mode. However, its mission can be changed via high level commands issued from a laboratory installed on shore. The project partners include the Portuguese companies RINAVE and CONAFI in charge of naval engineering aspects and vehicle construction, respectively. These companies are expected to promote the utilization of the vehicle by scientific and commercial entities, and to explore the possibility of its commercialization.