TIM eMagazine Vol.3 Issue 4
Autonomous
ships should
comply with
COLREGs, says
The Nautical
Institute
Credits: prnewswire.com
The Nautical Institute also highlighted to
the Committee that, as many technologies
associated with autonomous operation will
be fitted to manned vessels, the exercise
should take into account how these systems
can best be used by the professional crews
onboard.
A
ll vessels, regardless of whether they are autonomous or
not, should comply with the COLREGs, said Captain
Ghulam Hussain FNI, head of The Nautical Institute’s
delegation to the IMO as the debate into MASS
started in earnest at the IMO. The introduction of
autonomous vessels is one of this year’s most hotly
debated topics – but autonomous craft already exist and
the relationship between autonomous and non-
autonomous vessels must be absolutely clear.
Capt Hussain was taking part in the Maritime
Safety Committee Meeting at IMO (MSC 99). The Committee is beginning
a regulatory scoping exercise for the use of Maritime Autonomous Surface
Ships (MASS), which aims to define conditions for the introduction and
use of autonomous ships.
The Nautical Institute also highlighted to the Committee that, as many
technologies associated with autonomous operation will be fitted to
manned vessels, the exercise should take into account how these systems
can best be used by the professional crews onboard.
The Committee agreed that autonomous craft should be required to
comply with relevant international regulations, including COLREGs. They
also noted suggestions from the NI and others that the exercise should
take into consideration:
Captain Ghulam Hussain
FNI, head of The Nautical
Institute’s delegation to
the IMO as the debate
into MASS started in
earnest at the IMO
Credits: www.nautinst.org
*Human element aspects, in particular those related to remote operation
and related training;
*The impact on seafarers, both in terms of competency and training;
*Interactions between conventional and autonomous ships (e.g. VHF
voice communications), including non-SOLAS recreational ships;
*Data and communication systems requirements;
*Cybersecurity;
*The availability of related technologies in different countries.
“The Nautical Institute will stay engaged in this debate at the IMO and
beyond to ensure that the voice of maritime professionals is taken into
account as this new dimension of technology is developed,” said Capt
Hussain.
www.nautinst.org/
Editor’s notes:
The Nautical Institute is an international representative body for
maritime professionals involved in the control of sea-going ships.
It provides a wide range of services to enhance the professional
standing and knowledge of members who are drawn from all sec-
tors of the maritime world. Founded in 1972, it has over 40 branches
world-wide and some 7,000 members in over 120 countries.
For more information please contact Martin Fothergill, Marketing
and Communications Manager, The Nautical Institute + 44 (0)20
7928 1351, [email protected]
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