Uncrewed Vessel Port Entry
Black, Declan (2022)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2022112123345
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2022112123345
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this thesis was to determine the obstacles to autonomous and remotely controlled ships operating in port areas in Ireland, in particular arrival and departure from ports. This was examined from the perspective of the ports regarding pilotage and control of traffic/interaction with other traffic. The secondary aim was to determine what measures ports may have to put in place to facilitate the operation of these vessels.
Interviews were conducted with Harbour Masters, Marine Pilots and vessel traffic service operators. The interviewees were drawn from a mix of large commercial ports, fisheries harbours and leisure harbours including ports with and without vessel traffic services. The interviews were semi structured and open to allow participants to explore the potential difficulties and additional requirements port operators may have to facilitate this new technology. The interviews were then coded and analysed to extract the key findings.
The study found that ports expect autonomous and remote-control vessels could safely operate in port areas subject to some safety concerns which would require addressing. It was found that a wide dissemination of information is required to build awareness among port users of these vessels and that specific identifying lights and shapes should be considered internationally. The area of most concern to the participants of this study was in relation to communications between the ports, pilots, conventional vessels and remote control/autonomous vessels. This concern was wide ranging and covered methodology, standardization and compatibility bandwidth availability for large data transfers. Another concern was latency in communications where urgent time sensitive decisions and security of communications were required to avoid confusion or malicious actions. These communication protocols were considered urgent as investments may be required in ports to facilitate operations.
Interviews were conducted with Harbour Masters, Marine Pilots and vessel traffic service operators. The interviewees were drawn from a mix of large commercial ports, fisheries harbours and leisure harbours including ports with and without vessel traffic services. The interviews were semi structured and open to allow participants to explore the potential difficulties and additional requirements port operators may have to facilitate this new technology. The interviews were then coded and analysed to extract the key findings.
The study found that ports expect autonomous and remote-control vessels could safely operate in port areas subject to some safety concerns which would require addressing. It was found that a wide dissemination of information is required to build awareness among port users of these vessels and that specific identifying lights and shapes should be considered internationally. The area of most concern to the participants of this study was in relation to communications between the ports, pilots, conventional vessels and remote control/autonomous vessels. This concern was wide ranging and covered methodology, standardization and compatibility bandwidth availability for large data transfers. Another concern was latency in communications where urgent time sensitive decisions and security of communications were required to avoid confusion or malicious actions. These communication protocols were considered urgent as investments may be required in ports to facilitate operations.