A New Era in Harbor Cleaning: Fairhaven Becomes the First U.S. East Coast Community to Deploy IADYS’ Jellyfishbot
Background
Fairhaven, Massachusetts, faced a recurring challenge: keeping its harbor free from floating waste, microplastics, and hydrocarbons while maintaining the ability to respond quickly to accidental spills. A major diesel spill from a commercial fishing vessel had previously highlighted the need for an immediately available response tool capable of containing and collecting oil before it could spread throughout the harbor.
At the same time, floating debris regularly accumulated in hard-to-reach areas, particularly around Fort Phoenix and Marsh Island. Without a dedicated autonomous solution, responding efficiently in these locations could be difficult and time-consuming. Fairhaven therefore began looking for a versatile technology that could support both routine harbor cleaning and emergency pollution response.
The project was developed through a collaborative and community-led process involving Fairhaven’s Land Use & Planning Department, the Marine Resources Department, the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District, and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Residents were invited to vote on six potential environmental and community projects, with the Jellyfishbot receiving the most public support.
Following a competitive selection process involving five international manufacturers, IADYS was chosen because the Jellyfishbot met all of the town’s requirements, including floating waste collection, oil-spill response, autonomous navigation, and collision avoidance. The project was fully funded through a $50,000 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness 2.0 grant.
At the same time, floating debris regularly accumulated in hard-to-reach areas, particularly around Fort Phoenix and Marsh Island. Without a dedicated autonomous solution, responding efficiently in these locations could be difficult and time-consuming. Fairhaven therefore began looking for a versatile technology that could support both routine harbor cleaning and emergency pollution response.
The project was developed through a collaborative and community-led process involving Fairhaven’s Land Use & Planning Department, the Marine Resources Department, the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District, and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Residents were invited to vote on six potential environmental and community projects, with the Jellyfishbot receiving the most public support.
Following a competitive selection process involving five international manufacturers, IADYS was chosen because the Jellyfishbot met all of the town’s requirements, including floating waste collection, oil-spill response, autonomous navigation, and collision avoidance. The project was fully funded through a $50,000 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness 2.0 grant.
Illustration of Fairhaven use case – source IADYS
A Versatile Aquatic Robot for Everyday Cleaning and Emergency Response
The Jellyfishbot can tow interchangeable nets designed to collect different types of pollution, from visible floating waste to smaller plastic particles. It can also deploy oil-absorbent materials, giving Fairhaven a dedicated first-response tool for containing and recovering hydrocarbons following an accidental spill.
In addition to collecting pollution, the robot can monitor water quality and conduct bathymetric surveys. It can be programmed to operate within specific areas of the harbor while adapting its route in real time to detect and avoid boats and other obstacles.
IADYS’ U.S. team installed the Jellyfishbot and trained Fairhaven staff in August 2025. The town’s Marine Resources Department now oversees its daily operation, with the robot based at Union Wharf during the summer months. Fairhaven is also evaluating its potential for year-round use in the town’s generally ice-free harbor.
In addition to collecting pollution, the robot can monitor water quality and conduct bathymetric surveys. It can be programmed to operate within specific areas of the harbor while adapting its route in real time to detect and avoid boats and other obstacles.
IADYS’ U.S. team installed the Jellyfishbot and trained Fairhaven staff in August 2025. The town’s Marine Resources Department now oversees its daily operation, with the robot based at Union Wharf during the summer months. Fairhaven is also evaluating its potential for year-round use in the town’s generally ice-free harbor.
“Bumblebee”: A Robot Chosen and Named by the Community
Community involvement remained central throughout the project. After residents selected the Jellyfishbot as their preferred initiative, they were invited to help name it through an online poll and in-person voting at the Huttleston HarborFest.
Hundreds of votes were submitted, and the winning name was “Bumblebee”—a reference to the robot’s distinctive yellow-and-black appearance. This citizen-led approach helped turn the Jellyfishbot into more than a piece of municipal equipment: it became a visible symbol of Fairhaven’s commitment to cleaner waters and smarter coastal management.
Hundreds of votes were submitted, and the winning name was “Bumblebee”—a reference to the robot’s distinctive yellow-and-black appearance. This citizen-led approach helped turn the Jellyfishbot into more than a piece of municipal equipment: it became a visible symbol of Fairhaven’s commitment to cleaner waters and smarter coastal management.
Bumblebee (Jellyfishbot) the community choice of Fairhaven
Cleaner Waters and Faster Spill Response
By deploying Bumblebee, Fairhaven now has an autonomous tool that can collect floating debris before it reaches the shoreline and respond rapidly when an oil spill occurs. Its compact size and adaptive navigation also allow it to operate in harbor corners that are difficult to access with conventional vessels.
The project is expected to improve the town’s ability to manage everyday pollution, strengthen its emergency-response capacity, and encourage greater community ownership of the local coastline. As the first community on the U.S. East Coast to adopt this technology, Fairhaven is setting a new standard for innovative and environmentally responsible harbor management.
Could your harbor, marina, or community benefit from a smarter way to collect floating pollution and respond to oil spills?
The project is expected to improve the town’s ability to manage everyday pollution, strengthen its emergency-response capacity, and encourage greater community ownership of the local coastline. As the first community on the U.S. East Coast to adopt this technology, Fairhaven is setting a new standard for innovative and environmentally responsible harbor management.
Could your harbor, marina, or community benefit from a smarter way to collect floating pollution and respond to oil spills?