Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) are transforming operations across a wide range of industries — from maritime defense and environmental monitoring to offshore energy and commercial shipping. As this technology advances, so does the demand for durable, high-performance materials that can withstand harsh marine environments. That’s where Heskins LLC comes in.
What Are USVs?
USVs, or Unmanned Surface Vehicles, are watercraft operated remotely or autonomously without onboard human presence. These vehicles are essential for tasks that are too dangerous, costly, or time-consuming for manned missions. Their design demands cutting-edge materials that offer superior durability, visibility, grip, and environmental resistance.
Tapes That Power the USV Industry
At Heskins, we specialize in advanced adhesive tapes engineered for the most demanding conditions — exactly the type of conditions USVs face every day. Here are a few of our most relevant products for USV manufacturers and operators:
Anti-Slip Tapes for Deck Safety
Even without human passengers, USVs often have flat or angled surfaces that require secure grip for maintenance teams, onboard instruments, or automated docking systems. Our Safety-Grip™ anti-slip tapes are available in standard, coarse, and X-coarse grades, offering maximum traction even in wet, salty environments.
- Excellent UV, water, and chemical resistance
- Available in custom shapes and widths to match unique hull designs
- Perfect for walkable surfaces and service hatches
Reflective Tapes for Visibility
Visibility is crucial for both manned and unmanned maritime operations. Our reflective marking tapes help make USVs more noticeable to other vessels during low-light conditions or nighttime missions.
- High-luminance microprismatic and glass bead options
- Available in SOLAS-compliant grades for marine applications
- Ideal for perimeter markings, navigation lighting augmentation, and identification
Glow-in-the-Dark Tapes for Emergency and Night Use
Some USVs operate in complete darkness or unpredictable conditions. Photoluminescent tapes can provide an extra layer of safety and functionality for operators and service teams.
- Charges from natural or artificial light
- Remains visible for hours in complete darkness
- Used for control panel outlines, access points, or as secondary navigation cues
Custom Marking and Branding Tapes
Need your USV to carry custom ID codes, safety messages, or branded markings? We offer custom-printed tapes and die-cut solutions to meet identification, traceability, and regulatory needs.
- Full-color printing options
- Easy-to-apply, high-bond adhesive backing
- Precision-cut to fit curved or complex surfaces
Built for Harsh Marine Environments
All Heskins tapes are developed with durability in mind. Whether your USVs are patrolling remote coastlines, inspecting offshore wind farms, or collecting climate data, our products hold up under:
- Saltwater exposure
- Intense UV radiation
- Wind and surface spray
- Extreme temperature shifts
Partner with Heskins for Your USV Project
Heskins LLC works directly with marine and defense contractors, engineering teams, and USV OEMs to provide high-performance solutions for evolving challenges. Whether you’re designing the next fleet of autonomous research vessels or upgrading existing platforms, our tapes are tested, trusted, and ready to deliver.
Get in touch today to discuss custom options or request free samples for your next project.
