THE MARINE ROBOTICS WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE BRIDGING THE TRAINING, SKILLS AND REGULATORY GAP
Huw Gullick, MD of NOC Innovations Ltd, and Associate Director Strategic Business Development at The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) challenges the need for diversification and regulation in skills of the marine science workforce.
THE NEED FOR SKILL DIVERSIFICATION IN THE MARINE INDUSTRY Reskilling is essential for ensuring a smooth transition to marine autonomy. Technological advances are driving forward automation and we expect to see the driverless car on our roads in the not-too-distant future. However, we are more likely to see driverless vehicles operating in our ocean years before the driverless car becomes a common sight. The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is home to the Marine Autonomous and Robotic Systems (MARS) fleet, one of the largest and most advanced in the world, having benefited from a £10 million investment as part of the UK Government’s ‘Eight Great Technologies’ initiative, and £16 million from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
Autosub6000 in the workshop at the NOC (Courtesy of NOC)
IN OUR RUSH TO ADOPT AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES, ARE WE FAILING TO UPSKILL OUR MARINE WORKFORCE TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION?
working the equipment. The latter also presents a further opportunity for those who previously overlooked a career in marine science due to the need to spend time away at sea.
Marine autonomy is helping to scale ocean science and undertake ocean observations in deeper seas, hard to reach regions whilst reducing our dependence on support ships. This in turn will help cut our carbon emissions and drive our ambitious net-zero targets.
Whilst MAS will always need technologists and engineers, due to the increased use of machine learning and artificial intelligence in machine development, the need for software engineers and computer scientists has never been greater. Attracting delegates with the right skills provides a further challenge for the marine industry as it competes with industries traditionally perceived as more glamourous or financially rewarding. National and international organisations such as the NOC highlighting the unique role they play in the future of our planet, from both an environmental and economic perspective, may play a pivotal role in competing in these markets.
With a switch towards autonomy comes the concern that jobs in the marine industry will be lost. However, with the workforce of engineers and technologists who develop, maintain and operate these high-tech robots integral to their success, this isn’t the case. In reality, it means that new skills are entering and diversifying the marine labour market, presenting challenges, including the need for robust regulation and training. A change towards Remote Operation Centres (ROC) will require engineers and technologists to have additional specialist training essential for ensuring expert knowledge of the equipment they are operating and the environment that they are
DEVELOPING RECOGNISED NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS Compared with modern shipping and operations, marine autonomy is still in its infancy, so it is not surprising to see those equivalent standards, skills, and regulations for working in this industry are only just emerging. We, therefore,
ROVplanet | 65
