Shipping can be dangerous business . International safety standards and regulations for seafarers are helpful , but new technologies are also needed to avoid disasters at sea . For one thing , the increasing use of autonomous vessels will require highly efficient technical safety systems and devices . photos : UNSPLASH
On the global level , the International
Maritime Organisation ( IMO ) has developed numerous regulations that are followed by all shipping nations . Many of these regulations deal with maritime safety .
The Maritime Safety Committee is IMO ’ s senior technical body on safetyrelated matters . The Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment ( SSE ) deals with a wide range of technical and operational matters related to systems and equipment on all types of ships . They include life-saving equipment , appliances and arrangements , and fire-safety systems .
The era of automation requires an even wider range of technologies for safety and security on the seas .
INTELLIGENT AWARENESS
As the technology of autonomous ships advances , some of the ships may be crewless in the course of the next few years .
Many pilot projects for autonomous vessels have already been launched .
A number of safety systems form part of the ongoing development of autonomous ships , but such technology can also be useful in the existing shipping environment .
For instance , the Intelligent awareness ( IA ) systems are set to become the next generation of digital technologies to improve safety the maritime sector . They will utilise sensors , high-resolution displays , and intelligent software . In part , this technology is likely to support other mar-
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