Quentin Verrier — THALARK · Bateau-drone de sauvetage SNSM

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Overview / Brief

THALARK is a next-generation amphibious rescue vessel designed to operate in extreme maritime conditions — from open sea to rocky shoreline. The project questions the limits of what a rescue craft can be: not just a boat, but a multi-terrain platform capable of adapting its morphology to the mission.

At the intersection of naval architecture and transport design, THALARK integrates deployable hydrofoils for high-speed sea crossing, retractable caterpillar tracks for beach operations, a modular boarding ramp, and a self-contained rescue cabin configurable as passenger transport or medical bay.

The design language is deliberately aggressive and high-contrast — the orange/anthracite CMF ensures maximum visual identification in distress scenarios while asserting an uncompromising industrial character.

Author note

Solo project carried out over 12 months as part of my master's degree — from initial brief to the final 360° configurator. To ground the design in reality rather than assumptions, I worked directly with Nicolas Thiollent, SNSM rescue boat captain at Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, to understand the real problems of sea rescue: aging fleets, intervention constraints, and what the ultimate rescue vehicle would need to be. Every design decision traces back to that field reality.

01

Multi-terrain mobilitySea foiling · Displacement hull · Beach landing · Rough terrain tracks

02

Deployable rescue rampInflatable cushion platform for safe transfer from distressed vessels

03

Modular interiorConvertible seating/bed system · LED cabin · Digital display

04

Integrated sensor array360° radar dome · Deployable reconnaissance drone · SAR systems

05

Retractable towing armsFor vessel stabilisation and towing operations at sea

01

Context / The reality at sea

For over half a century, the SNSM has carried out maritime rescue along the French coast — entirely on volunteer effort. Today, that model is under structural strain.

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Rescue stations along the coast

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Volunteers — average age 49

0/yr

Interventions per year

0yrs

Average fleet age

Operational scope — coastal coverage & CROSS coordination

Operational map — SNSM stations, intervention zone and CROSS coordination

Current fleet — operational cost benchmark

SNS 1200 SAR · 12 m

Unit price: € 900 000
Fuel: 100–200 L/h
Capacity: 4 + 4

SNS 1500 SAR · 14.5 m

Unit price: € 1 100 000
Fuel: 150–250 L/h
Capacity: 6 + 5

SNS 1700 SAR · 17 m

Unit price: € 1 500 000
Fuel: 200–350 L/h
Capacity: 5–8 + 6

Problème SNSM

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Réponse THALARK

Flotte vieillissante

Âge moyen des navires : 18 ans. Consommation lourde et coûts de maintenance croissants, sur un budget largement porté par les dons.

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Conception zéro émission

Pile à combustible hydrogène 300 kW, 0 L de fioul, 0 g de CO₂ direct. Maintenance simplifiée par 3 pods de propulsion modulaires.

Pénurie de bénévoles

8 000 bénévoles, âge moyen 49 ans. Le recrutement pour des missions à risque sur la base du volontariat devient difficile.

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Mode drone autonome

Pas d'équipage à bord requis. Le drone se déploie depuis la station, atteint la zone, embarque les rescapés et revient — pilotage à distance par un seul opérateur au CROSS.

Accès côtier limité

Les navires actuels ne peuvent atteindre les eaux peu profondes, les plages et les côtes rocheuses — là où la majorité des appels de détresse ont lieu.

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Chenilles amphibies rétractables

Tirant d'eau 1,15 m en navigation, puis déploiement de chenilles pour franchir la zone de ressac et accoster sur sable, galets ou roche. Permet aussi le prépositionnement saisonnier du drone en stand-by sur les plages les plus fréquentées — au plus près des zones susceptibles d'intervention.

Délais d'intervention longs

La flotte actuelle plafonne à 20-25 nœuds. Sur la zone côtière de 20 milles nautiques, chaque minute compte pour les naufragés.

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40 nœuds avec hydrofoils

40 nœuds en vitesse de pointe grâce aux hydrofoils déployables. La zone d'intervention est couverte en deux fois moins de temps.

02

Inspirations / Form language

A · 01

Origami

Folded planes, sharp ridge lines, structural geometry. The hull shell reads as a single continuous surface broken by precise creases — strength through folding rather than mass.

B · 02

Minimalism

No ornament, no surface drama. Every line earns its place. The CMF is reduced to three values — anthracite, rescue orange, deck grey — applied with strict hierarchy.

C · 03

Sobriety

Mission-first restraint. No styling for its own sake. The form is a direct expression of the systems it must carry — foils, tracks, towing arms, ramp.

Visual references

Concrete architecture — minimalist volumes — Architecture — material restraint

Folded paper sculpture — origami forms — Origami sculpture — folded planes

Origami paper study — Paper study — ridge geometry

Mies van der Rohe interior — Modernist interior — Mies-era proportion

Bauhaus furniture — Marcel Breuer — Bauhaus furniture — primary geometry

Modular seating — interlocking volumes — Modular seating — interlocking blocks

03

Concept / Diagram

Full exterior annotation — all deployable systems labeled

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Decisions / Key trade-offs

Three project-defining choices shaped THALARK's architecture. For each, we compared the alternative against the operational reality of a SAR drone — weight, endurance, autonomy, environmental footprint — and committed to the option that best served the mission.

A · 01

Energy

How do you power an autonomous SAR drone that must operate 9h, reach 40 knots, tow 10 tonnes and redeploy within minutes?

Discarded · Lithium-ion battery

Around 3.5 tonnes of batteries would be needed for 9h SAR autonomy, i.e. 70% of the total allocated weight (5000 kg). On a drone that switches to amphibious mode via its retractable tracks, this mass compromises stability and causes the vehicle to sink into the sand. Charging requires several hours on dedicated infrastructure, incompatible with emergency operation. In case of damage and immersion, corroded batteries release toxic compounds into the marine environment.

Selected · Hydrogen 700 bar + 300 kW fuel cell

160 kg of H₂ provides 9h autonomy in roughly 600 kg of full system, six times lighter than an equivalent battery pack. Refueling in 5 minutes via mobile truck, deployable even on a beach where the drone is on standby. France also has the Lorraine white hydrogen deposit (≥ 34 Mt, potentially the largest reserve in the world), its nuclear fleet and its coasts to produce locally. In case of accidental immersion, H₂ disperses instantly into the atmosphere with no polluting residue.

B · 02

Amphibious mode

How do you reach the zones no SNSM boat can enter — isolated beaches, shallow waters, rocky shores — where most swimmers and hikers in distress are stranded?

Discarded · Low-draft hull + inflatable floats

A planing hull with RIB-type tubes reaches 30 cm of draft, but the boat remains confined to the water. Impossible to disembark on sand to recover an unconscious person, or to climb onto a rocky zone exposed at low tide. The hovercraft alternative would provide amphibious capability, but the noise of the air jet is incompatible with approaching people in distress, fuel consumption triples and lateral wind stability drops sharply.

Selected · Retractable caterpillar tracks

Two tracks deploy under the hull via hydraulic cylinders in less than 30 seconds. Stowed during navigation to preserve hydrodynamics, deployed when approaching the shore. The drone then operates as a vehicle on sand, gravel or rock. This capability opens the 200 m of coastline currently inaccessible to SNS patrol boats — precisely the zone where most beach drownings and stranded hikers occur.

C · 03

Materials

Which material for a 5-tonne hull that must withstand marine impacts for 20 years, support the project's zero-emission commitment, and fit a French supply chain consistent with the Couach partnership?

Discarded · Carbon fibre

Carbon fibre offers the best specific strength on the market, but its production emits roughly 5× more CO₂ than biosourced composites. The global supply chain is dominated by Japan and the United States, creating an import dependency incompatible with a sovereignty objective. At end of life it cannot be recycled industrially, and in case of mid-mission sinking it releases persistent microparticles that contaminate the marine environment in the long term — an unacceptable risk for a vehicle designed to protect that same environment.

Selected · Flax fibre composite

France is the world's leading producer of technical flax (≈ 75% of European output), concentrated in Normandy and Hauts-de-France. The fibre reaches 80% of carbon's mechanical performance with 5× less CO₂ footprint, and naturally dampens vibrations — an advantage at 40-knot speeds. The supply chain is entirely French from field to hull, and in case of an at-sea casualty the plant fibres degrade naturally without releasing toxins.

French energy sovereignty · local hydrogen production

Argument · 01 · A

A · White hydrogen

Natural deposit discovered beneath the Lorraine basin. Estimated at over 34 Mt by CNRS, potentially the largest reserve in the world.

B · Nuclear fleet

18 active plants, 56 reactors. Decarbonised electrical capacity to produce hydrogen by electrolysis at large scale.

C · Maritime façades

Atlantic, Channel and Mediterranean : offshore wind and solar potential to produce renewable green hydrogen.

France brings together three rare resources to produce its hydrogen locally : an exceptional natural deposit (Lorraine), a decarbonised electrical capacity (nuclear fleet) and a coastal renewable potential. A SAR drone powered by H₂ becomes part of a sovereign, end-to-end decarbonised supply chain.

06

Process / Sketches + Timeline

A · Recherche

Idéation brute / recherche de volume

Première phase d'exploration au crayon, sans contrainte. L'objectif : trouver le langage de forme — origami, lignes tendues, proportions de coque — en multipliant les angles et les volumes avant tout choix définitif.

Final form research — emerging silhouette studies

Convergence vers la forme finale — études de silhouette et de poupe

Explorations de volume — premières recherches

Planche d'exploration — recherche de volume et de proportion

A.2 · Affinage

Lignes extérieures / recherche de la signature

Après les volumes, l'affinage des lignes. Études de profil aboutie, recherche de la tension graphique qui définira l'identité visuelle du drone — la ligne de coque qui file de la proue à la poupe.

Vue 3/4 — cabine affinée

Profil organique — ligne sculpturale

Profil — variations de proportion

Ligne de tension — ADN du design

A.3 · Intérieur

Études d'ergonomie / scénario SAR

L'extérieur ne suffit pas — il faut prouver que les 12 passagers tiennent vraiment dedans. Études de banquettes, d'assises et de position allongée pour blessé. Chaque scénario d'intervention SAR a été dessiné avant d'arrêter la cabine.

Interior layout — seating + stretcher position

Étude d'agencement — banquettes 5+5 et position allongée pour blessé · scénario SAR

Cabine — vues Front / Air

Valve d'air — ventilation cabine

Sièges — étude d'anatomie

B · Galerie

Sketches / exploration visuelle

Early form — volume study

Ink study — silhouette on water

Side profile — final proportions

3/4 top view — refined volume

Front 3/4 — towing arms deployed

Color study — CMF direction

Ramp deployment — system study

Rescue scene — boarding action

Rendu marqueur — multi-vues CMF

C · Chronologie

Frise / phase par phase

Phase 01 · Research

M1 — M3 · 3 months

Understand SNSM before drawing

Brief, benchmark of existing SAR drones, lifeguard and boater personas, operational constraints study.

Three months of immersion in the SNSM context before the first sketch. Reading 2023 intervention reports, interviews with a station leader, study of aging fleets.

The benchmark covered 3 autonomous SAR drones (military and civilian) and 3 current SNS patrol boats to identify the gaps THALARK must fill.

Deliverables

User requirements specification
Benchmark of 6 references
2 personas (Lucas, Camille)
SWOT analysis

Operational map — SNSM intervention zone

Carte opérationnelle — zone d'intervention SNSM

Phase 02 · Ideation

M3 — M5 · 2 months

First volumes, first silhouettes

Free exploration of forms. Marine origami, sobriety, taut lines. Fifty sketches to find the language.

The widest exploration phase. The brief allowed aesthetic rupture with the red-and-white SNSM iconography, so many directions were tested.

The moodboard combined origami, stealth military designs, and organic fast-hull forms.

Deliverables

~50 volumetric sketches
CMF moodboard
3 directions selected for design

Early form — volume study

Ink — silhouette on water

Phase 03 · Design

M5 — M8 · 3 months

From sketch to system specification

Refining proportions, system integration (tracks, foils, ramp), critical technical trade-offs.

The longest phase. Each system — retractable tracks, deployable hydrofoils, inflatable recovery ramp — was studied through multiple sketches until reaching a coherent integration with the hull.

This is where the three key trade-offs were decided (energy, amphibious mode, materials).

Deliverables

Technical sketches (4 views)
Annotated concept diagram
3 trade-off decisions validated

Profile — proportions

3/4 top — volume

Towing arms

Ramp — system study

Phase 04 · 3D modeling

M8 — M10 · 2 months

Verify volumes in three dimensions

Blender + Keyshot. Confirmation of proportions, interior ergonomics study, first mode simulations.

Transition from 2D drawing to 3D volume. This is where the ratios between cabin, hull and propulsion pods find their final balance, and where first test images confirm or invalidate sketching intuitions.

The interior was modeled in parallel to validate the capacity (10 seated + 2 lying for casualties).

Deliverables

Complete 3D model (exterior + interior)
4 configuration modes
Cabin ergonomics studies

Blender modeling — wireframe

Blender clay render — deployed ramp and hexagonal platform

Clay render — rampe et plateforme déployées

Phase 05 · Finalization

M10 — M12 · 2 months

CMF, final scenes, configurator

Colors, materials, finishes. Contextual renders in intervention. Interactive 360° configurator.

Final CMF definition (anthracite, muted SNSM orange, off-white). Renders in intervention situations (rocky coastline, sandy beach, rough seas).

Construction of the 360° configurator allowing visualization of the drone from every angle and in its 4 operational modes.

Deliverables

Final CMF palette
Intervention scene renders
Interactive 360° configurator
Jury / portfolio presentation

Render final — scène coucher de soleil

Rampe d'embarquement déployée

07

Exterior / Renders

01 · Silhouette

L'origami est le principe directeur de la forme. Aucune courbe gratuite — chaque facette répond à une contrainte : fendre la vague, dévier la pluie, protéger l'équipage. La silhouette doit pouvoir affronter une mer formée sans trahir l'épure du dessin.

02 · Proue

La proue effilée et la symétrie longitudinale produisent un sillage propre, presque géométrique. À 40 nœuds, l'efficience hydrodynamique conditionne directement l'autonomie hydrogène — chaque litre d'eau écarté inutilement, c'est de l'énergie en moins.

03 · CMF

La palette anthracite / orange / blanc n'est pas un choix personnel : elle s'inscrit dans la nouvelle identité visuelle de la SNSM dessinée par Philippe Starck. M'aligner sur cette charte, c'est traiter le projet comme un véhicule de flotte cohérent — pas comme un concept isolé. Le composite fibre de lin laisse apparaître son grain : preuve de matière, pas effet de style.

04 · Continuité

De la mer agitée à la plage de sable, la même forme. Pas de mode "navigation" séparé d'un mode "véhicule" : une seule silhouette qui change de milieu. C'est la promesse opérationnelle du drone — passer du large au littoral sans transbordement.

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Features / Systems

Feature 01

Deployable Boarding Ramp

Front ramp with inflatable cushion platform — safe transfer of survivors from distressed vessels even in rough conditions.

Feature 02

Inflatable Rescue Platform

Side-deployed inflatable trampoline — allows survivors to jump or be pulled aboard, reducing time to first contact.

Feature 03

Telescopic Towing Arm

Automatic telescopic towing arm with vision-based detection of attachment points — locks onto distressed vessels safely, no crew required at the contact point.

Feature 04

Search & Rescue Drone

Onboard quadcopter for missing-person searches — extends the visual range of the operation and locates targets faster than surface-only sweeps.

Feature 05

Retractable Beach Access

Retractable caterpillar tracks allow beach landings to reach people stranded by the tide — or position the drone in standby on a specific coastal zone.

Feature 06

360° Propulsion Pods

Three propulsion pods, each capable of rotating a full 360° — delivers maximum manoeuvrability in tight rescue zones and precision station-keeping in current.

Feature 07

Retractable Towing Arms

Side-deployed arms for vessel stabilisation and 10-tonne towing — assists boats in difficulty without dangerous side-to-side contact.

Feature 08

Deployable Hydrofoils

Foils deploy at speed to lift the hull above wave drag — 40 knots cruise on open water, retractable for shallow approaches.

Feature 09

Retractable Tracks

Caterpillar tracks unfold from the underside for beach landings and rocky-shore access — a SAR capability no current SNSM vessel possesses.

09

Interior / Cabin

The cabin is structured around a central aisle with opposing bench seating in tan leather — the modular system allows each section to reconfigure between seating and lying positions, adapting to the number and condition of survivors on board.

Recessed linear LED grid provides uniform, non-directional lighting appropriate for medical operations. A digital display at the bow gives the crew real-time navigation and survivor status data.

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Modular seating / bedEach bench converts independently — upright, reclined, or full-flat bed

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Recessed LED gridIntegrated ceiling — uniform diffuse light, navigation colour modes

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Digital displayBow-mounted tactical screen for navigation, radar and mission data

10

Specifications / Technical drawing

Side and top elevation with overall dimensions. Internal layout shows the eight-seat passenger arrangement, central spine, two stretcher bays at the rear, and the propulsion package integrated below the deck.

THALARK blueprint — side and top elevation with specifications

Scale

1 : 50

Drawing type

Side & top elevation

Partner

Couach · 1897

Reference

THLK-001 · 2025

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Outcome / Takeaways

THALARK was presented before an academic jury at the end of the master's program. The reception was split — and that split is itself telling: the maritime industry professionals on the panel were genuinely enthusiastic, recognizing a vessel that answered real operational needs, while some generalist reviewers found the concept ambitious for a student project.

I take that as validation where it counts. The people who know sea rescue — including Nicolas Thiollent, who followed the project throughout — saw THALARK as a credible answer to problems they face every season. That gap between expert enthusiasm and generalist caution is exactly what happens when a concept pushes a real industry forward.

If I were to take it further, the next step would be physical validation: a scale model for hydrodynamic testing of the foil-to-track transition, and a deeper technical dialogue with Couach's engineering team on the flax-composite hull layup. The concept is sound; the path to a prototype is the natural continuation.

Scope

Solo project · 12 months

Context

Master's degree · final project

Field validation

SNSM rescue captain + maritime jury

Next step

Scale model · hydrodynamic testing

THALARK

Overview / Brief

Context / The reality at sea

Flotte vieillissante

Conception zéro émission

Pénurie de bénévoles

Mode drone autonome

Accès côtier limité

Chenilles amphibies rétractables

Délais d'intervention longs

40 nœuds avec hydrofoils

Inspirations / Form language

Origami

Minimalism

Sobriety

Concept / Diagram

Decisions / Key trade-offs

Discarded · Lithium-ion battery

Selected · Hydrogen 700 bar + 300 kW fuel cell

Discarded · Low-draft hull + inflatable floats

Selected · Retractable caterpillar tracks

Discarded · Carbon fibre

Selected · Flax fibre composite

Systems / Interactive

Process / Sketches + Timeline

Idéation brute / recherche de volume

Lignes extérieures / recherche de la signature

Études d'ergonomie / scénario SAR

Sketches / exploration visuelle

Frise / phase par phase

Understand SNSM before drawing

First volumes, first silhouettes

From sketch to system specification

Verify volumes in three dimensions

CMF, final scenes, configurator

Exterior / Renders

Features / Systems

Deployable Boarding Ramp

Inflatable Rescue Platform

Telescopic Towing Arm

Search & Rescue Drone

Retractable Beach Access

360° Propulsion Pods

Retractable Towing Arms

Deployable Hydrofoils

Retractable Tracks

Interior / Cabin

Specifications / Technical drawing

Outcome / Takeaways

AUREON