Unmanned Narco-submarine seized by the Colombian Navy boats (Credit: Colombian Navy)

Naval News reports the seizure of an unmanned low profile, semi-submersible that was used to transport illegal drugs.

Not only would semi-autonomous operation eliminate the cost of hiring a crew and the space requirements for accommodations to support the crew, it would also eliminate the possibility of a captured crew becoming a source of intelligence for law enforcement.

It also means that upon boarding there is no one to tell to stop the engines, meaning boardings may be more dangerous than ever.

I would not be surprised to see a remote scuttling option incorporated into future designs.