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The Vagueness of COLREG versus Collision Avoidance Techniques—A Discussion on the Current State and Future Challenges Concerning the Operation of Autonomous Ships

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  • Krzysztof Wróbel

    (Research Group on Maritime Transportation Risk and Safety, Faculty of Navigation, Gdynia Maritime University, 81-345 Gdynia, Poland)

  • Mateusz Gil

    (Research Group on Maritime Transportation Risk and Safety, Faculty of Navigation, Gdynia Maritime University, 81-345 Gdynia, Poland)

  • Yamin Huang

    (Intelligent Transportation Systems Research Centre, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China
    National Engineering Research Centre for Water Transportation Safety, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China)

  • Ryszard Wawruch

    (Department of Navigation, Faculty of Navigation, Gdynia Maritime University, 81-345 Gdynia, Poland)

Abstract

With the development of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), considerable research is undertaken to secure their safety. One of the critical aspects of MASS is collision avoidance, and multiple collision avoidance algorithms have been developed. However, due to various reasons, collision avoidance of autonomous merchant vessels appears to be far from resolved. With this study, we aim to discuss the current state of Collision Avoidance Methods (CAMs) and the challenges lying ahead—from a joint academic and practical point of view. To this end, the key Rules from International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG) have been reviewed with a focus on their practical application for MASS. Moreover, the consideration of the COLREG Rules in contemporary collision avoidance algorithms has been reviewed. The ultimate objective is to identify aspects of COLREG requiring additional attention concerning MASS developments in terms of collision avoidance. Our conclusions indicate that although a lot of progress has been achieved recently, the feasibility of CAMs for MASS remains questionable. Reasons for so are the ambiguous character of the regulations, especially COLREG, as well as virtually all existing CAMs being at best only partly COLREG-compliant.

Suggested Citation

  • Krzysztof Wróbel & Mateusz Gil & Yamin Huang & Ryszard Wawruch, 2022. "The Vagueness of COLREG versus Collision Avoidance Techniques—A Discussion on the Current State and Future Challenges Concerning the Operation of Autonomous Ships," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:24:p:16516-:d:999263
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sotiralis, P. & Ventikos, N.P. & Hamann, R. & Golyshev, P. & Teixeira, A.P., 2016. "Incorporation of human factors into ship collision risk models focusing on human centred design aspects," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 210-227.
    2. Xiaoyuan Zhao & Haiwen Yuan & Qing Yu, 2021. "Autonomous Vessels in the Yangtze River: A Study on the Maritime Accidents Using Data-Driven Bayesian Networks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-17, September.
    3. Gil, Mateusz, 2021. "A concept of critical safety area applicable for an obstacle-avoidance process for manned and autonomous ships," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    4. Michael Boviatsis & George Vlachos, 2022. "Sustainable Operation of Unmanned Ships under Current International Maritime Law," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-17, June.
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