Jevon Philip Chan

The seafaring occupation will soon evolve as human operators transition to a more supervisory role for autonomous systems onboard. Therefore, gaining a greater understanding of the mindset that officers have towards the world of autonomy will aid the maritime industry by developing a baseline for future navigational training. This paper examines the perceptions and attitudes of 100 navigational seafaring participants of varying navigational ranks and levels of seagoing experience. The aim of the study was to identify the perceptions and self-conscious trust that current seafarers have towards automated and future autonomous systems. Participants were issued a situational judgement test comprising of three questions, allowing them to assess and respond to a hazardous scenario. The results of the study found that seafarers are receptive towards the introduction of autonomous shipping. Furthermore, the participants showed an awareness of what autonomous shipping would mean for the maritime industry. However, concerns remain about the responsibility and safety of the vessel in the event of the introduction of an unmanned vessel. Moreover, when comparing opinions and trust levels among the cohort of ranks, it was found that participants of a higher rank had a similar outlook towards autonomy to that of the less experienced groups.

Autonomy has allowed the maritime industry to design integrated systems leading to the concept of maritime autonomous surface ships. As research towards autonomous operations increases seafarers must be equipped with the knowledge of how to react to onboard system faults and threats to the safety of crew, vessel and cargo. Consequently, the maritime industry may utilise bridge simulators to train seafarers in autonomous operations. By integrating simulation into navigational officer training, it is possible to aid the development of seafarers fault recognition patterns. Moreover, simulation training can provide seafarers with the knowledge to be proactive in fault finding over reactive. Therefore, this study is conducted in a navigational simulator and investigates the fault recognition patterns of seafarers during realistic watch conditions with alternative tasks i.e. paperwork. Moreover, a novel Event Tree Analysis method is proposed to analyse the performance of seafarers and effectiveness of human machine relationship. The study found a low percentage of candidates successfully reacted to all faults and without additional alarms the vessel may have resulted in further danger. Applying the methodology and data assimilated from the study could aid the development of navigational officer short courses, developing seafarers behavioural skills which complement their technical talents.

As the maritime industry looks to implement autonomous operations, it is key that seafarers can adjust and work alongside the technological strides being made. With the maritime industry being on the brink of a paradigm shift, not seen since the transition from sails to engines, regulations and training need to be implemented before the industry can progress towards autonomous vessel operations. Therefore, the maritime industry must implement methods and training regimes that seafarers can undertake to train skills such as situational awareness, to ensure that the human-automation relationship progresses smoothly and efficiently. The research reported within this paper aims to assess the elements required to aid the development of seafarers, in preparation for the inevitable change to autonomous maritime operations. A study was conducted which analysed the situational awareness of 14 junior navigational officers and 14 navigational officer cadets, by means of a bridge watch simulator and introducing the participants to an autopilot failure. The results of the study found a lack of system understanding, in the event of a fault, among the majority of participants. Additionally, even the participants displaying a satisfactory level of situational awareness required alarms before they could recognise a potential fault. Additionally, participants were given a survey which allowed the assessment of their personal views and opinions of autonomous operations. By assessing the outcome of this study and researching past maritime incidents, this paper has highlighted the necessity for situational awareness training for seafarers which will improve the human automation relationship.