USCG Requests Comments on Automated and Autonomous Vessels and Vessel Technologies
The United States Coast Guard has requested input and comments from the public related to a wide range of automated and autonomous vessel and terminal technology systems. Specifically, the Coast Guard noted they are interested in learning more about the opportunities, challenges, and impacts on the maritime transportation system that are presented by the adoption of “automated and autonomous commercial vessels and vessel technologies”.
In their request, the Coast Guard emphasized their interest in understanding how vessel owners and operators foresee implementing such technologies, the barriers associated with implementation, and the Coast Guard’s role with regard to such technologies.
The terms “automated” and “autonomous” have a wide range of meanings with respect to technological function and in an effort to cast as wide a net as possible, the Coast Guard has advised that they intend for commenters to broadly interpret the phrase, “automated and autonomous commercial vessels and vessel technologies” as systems that use automation to:
Perform operations without, or with less, human intervention;
related to one or more vessel functions; and
for the duration of operations or in limited time periods.
Those vessel functions may include, but are not limited to, navigation, communication, machinery operation, cargo management, emergency response, and maintenance.
In addition to their broad request for comments, the Coast Guard has also requested focused comments on a number of items including:
Specific Coast Guard regulations that may act as barriers or impediments to developing or implementing autonomous vessel or vessel technologies;
The purpose, benefits, and functions of using automated and autonomous technologies; and
The necessary factors to consider and changes that would need to be made to port facilities, training processes, and physical & digital infrastructure as a result of implementing automated and autonomous vessel and vessel technologies.
Should you wish to provide input, comments must be received by the US Coast Guard on or before October 13, 2020.