The US Coast Guard published a Final Rule in the Federal Register, allowing tankers with automatic pilot systems that meet certain international standards to operate using those systems in shipping safety fairways and traffic separation schemes. The rule will apply from December 5, 2018.
This rule removes the previous regulatory restriction and updates the technical requirements for automatic pilot systems.
Prohibiting the use of autopilots creates regulatory burdens for both industry and the...
https://safety4sea.com/uscg-allows-tankers-to-operate-certain-automatic-pilot-systems/