Rules required for operating maritime autonomous surface ships from the viewpoint of seafarers

Abstract

AbstractDemonstrations and local tests of several maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) have recently been carried out. From a technological standpoint, MASS are becoming able to handle actual operations in certain sea areas. Since 2017, the MSC (Maritime Safety Committee) of the IMO (International Maritime Organization) has been discussing legal problems with the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) with regard to MASS operation. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the rules from the perspective of seafarers, who need to interpret COLREGs when dealing with MASS in ship handling situations on the sea, and also to discuss possible required amendments to COLREGs. This paper attempts to clarify the extent of current interpretations while also taking into account the answers to questionnaires received from 130 pilots, ship captains and navigation officers concerning COLREGs for MASS operation. Given the four common principles of COLREGs, it is considered whether the principles need to be changed with the introduction of MASS from the viewpoint of seafarers.