COLREGs

US Navy working on new technology to enable its unmanned ships to make VHF calls

The US Navy is creating a system for its unmanned robotic warships to be able to communicate like human sailors, allowing the ship to safely navigate through waterways. The goal of his technology is to allows human bridge crews to talk with robot ships using normal speech over the worldwide radio system used for ship-to-ship communication.

Specifically, the Navy ships will be able to understand secure radio transmissions, include their meaning into its world model, develop appropriate maneuvering...

https://safety4sea.com/us-navy-working-on-new-technology-to-enable-its-unmanned-ships-to-make-vhf-calls/

Lessons learned: Good visibility not enough to prevent collision

The UK MAIB analyzed a case of a collision between a Ro-Ro passenger ferry and a motor cruiser, which was linked to insufficient lookout, despite fine weather and good visibility. Even in such conditions, other vessels can be easily missed if nobody is looking out for them, MAIB underlined.

The incident

On an early autumn afternoon, in good weather, a Ro-Ro passenger ferry started a routine short passage in a usually busy waterway.

The ferry’s master and OOW, both familiar with the ferry and the...

https://safety4sea.com/lessons-learned-good-visibility-not-enough-to-prevent-collision/

Lessons learned from ‘Alexandra 1’ collision: Confused with Rules of the Road

uk maib

On 11th February 2015, the Marshall Islands registered oil tanker Alexandra 1 and the United Kingdom registered container ship Ever Smart collided near the entrance to the buoyed approach channel in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. The analysis of this collision highlights important key lessons, taking into consideration that both vessels were modern, equipped with advanced systems for navigation & communication and manned with certified experienced crews, under the supervision and guidance of...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-lessons-learned-from-alexandra-1-collision-confused-with-rules-of-the-road/

Collision liability and autonomous ships

As autonomous shipping is gaining more and more ground, it is contended that the present fault-based collision liability regimes of most jurisdictions do not sufficiently cater for the situations that may arise, highlights Lina Wiedenbach, Lawyer at Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein, IUMI Professional Partner, who noted that the traditional means of establishing fault will be affected by how the human actions or omissions will move further away from the collision in time and space. This is expected to...

https://safety4sea.com/collision-liability-and-autonomous-ships/

Dangers of using cell phones on bridge

An Officer of the Watch (OOW) is responsible for keeping watch on the bridge to ensure the safe navigation of the ship based on a pre-defined Passage plan as approved by Master. In this regard, the decision making process is vital during his/her watch as the final decisions reflect directly on the safety of the vessel.

The following regulations from COLREGs are applicable to this matter:

Rule 5 : Look-out

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight as well as by hearing as...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-dangers-of-using-cell-phones-on-bridge/

Ten tips for proper lookout and safe navigation

In its latest edition of ‘The Navigator’, The Nautical Institute explores the importance for ship navigators of always keeping a good lookout by all available means, while maintaining focus and alertness. The most critical piece of equipment on the ship bridge is seafarers’ own eyes. Unfortunately this is not always the case, and when a lookout is not maintained, bad things can happen.

#10 tips for safe navigation

  1. Look out!: One of the most important functions of a Navigator is to keep a...

https://safety4sea.com/ten-tips-for-proper-lookout-and-safe-navigation/

What are the regulatory barriers to autonomous ships?

As the issue of shipping automation gains more and more ground in the industry debate, Heather Maxwell, Senior Claims Executive at the Standard P&I Club, analyzed how the regulatory and legal systems will adapt to this changing environment, arguing that the current legal framework does not help the adoption.

Whilst the high investment in onshore and offshore infrastructure is undoubtedly a hurdle to autonomous technology being broadly adopted in the shipping industry, perhaps a more daunting...

https://safety4sea.com/what-are-the-regulatory-barriers-to-autonomous-ships/

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