Page 17: of Marine News Magazine (July 2021)

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Autonomous Vessels safety, security, liability for damage, tant for all nations to agree on a goal prevalent and create potential safety is- ports, pilotage, and emergency re- and a common set of Rules of the Road sues. Some may say the future of MASS sponse. In June 2019, guidelines were as testing and operations become more is here, and regulation is close behind.

established to ? rst identify existing maritime safety and security regula- tions affecting MASS, and second, to identify con? icts and gaps in regula- tions with respect to MASS.

May 2021

During the MSC meeting in May 2021, this MASS working group dis- cussed their results which will even- tually lead to policy implementation.

Initially, as with any new technology, there will be new de? nitions and even broader de? nitions. For instance, who is the vessel’s master and who is the responsible person? Further, what current regulations apply or need to be clari? ed to address safety of life at sea? The MSC goals remain un- changed. The challenge was to make the proverbial “square peg” ? t into a “round hole.” Agreement on the goal now enables the MSC and the IMO central body to work toward a MASS code to account for automated and au- tonomous vessels and the meeting of standards that have already passed the test of time. The functional and op- erational requirements of MASS must meet and conform with the traditional safety goals that seafarers encounter to avoid collisions, allisions, and loss of life and property while navigating at sea and in close quarters. The MSC in

May 2021 invited all participating par- ties to submit goal-oriented proposals which will ultimately lead to a conven- tion and treaty to regulate MASS.

Presently, many sea trials have been undertaken for MASS, and many na- tions have automated and autonomous vessels in short service. It is now impor- www.marinelink.com MN 17|