Industry RangerBot conducting ocean monitoring for venomous sea stars – Image supplied by Queensland University of Technology
Autonomous and remotely operated vessels The greatest innovation emerging in the maritime sector right now is undoubtedly the emergence of autonomous and remotely operated vessels. It’s a broad field, with some vessels already in use globally, including in Australia. But before this capability can be applied more widely, a large amount of international and domestic collaboration is required. Systems, technology, governance and expertise must be further developed to safely and effectively usher in this new era in maritime. By Sarah Cameron
Of all the aspects of this developing capability, the hottest question is what automation will mean for the livelihoods of people who crew and service these vessels. Brad Groves, General Manager of AMSA’s Standards Division responsible for Australia’s part in regulating these vessels, says that while seafarers will still be vitally important, roles will change. ‘The safe operation of highly automated or remotely operated vessels will be dependent on seafaring experience, as well as an ability to understand and operate the systems and infrastructure 11
Working Boats January 2020
that supports the operation of these vessels,’ he said. ‘For example, to fly a modern aeroplane, such as an A380 or a Dreamliner, pilots must have two distinct skill sets—they must have an in-depth knowledge of the principles of flight and aviation, and also be able to understand and operate the systems and technology that support the safe flight of that aircraft. As passengers, we expect pilots to have these skills.’ While the finer details around what this will mean for seafarers is yet to be understood, the level and type of automation being developed and implemented today will certainly play a part.
We are seeing an increase in scenarios where automation and remote operation are being used ranging from a crewed vessel with some automated processes and decision support, to remotely operated vessels with or without crew, to fully autonomous vessels with no crew on board, but operators monitoring the vessel from a shore-based control centre. So what autonomous and remotely operated vessels are in operation today and what are the challenges for regulators? According to AMSA Principal Advisor Navigation, Grant Judson, autonomous and remotely operated vessels are already popular choices for
