Page 21: of Marine News Magazine (June 2023)

20 22

Feature

Autonomous Vessels “We are building partially remotely operated 78-meter ships at Ocean

In? nity that will be run by a crew of just 16, while performing tasks that would otherwise be performed by a crew of 50.” – Dan Hook,

Ocean In? nity 50. Smaller, and in our case much cleaner running ships this is blatantly incorrect, Ocean In? nity argues. The contribute a big co2 saving, and many of our customers strong regulatory frameworks that are being built up have demanding industry or self-imposed decarbonization around remote vessel operations mean that some roles roadmaps to stick to. are initially having to be doubled up. What is de? nitely “For other customers, operational ef? ciency is high on changing is how and where people will work. Sure, the the agenda; operating vessels remotely will, in the long number of people working offshore who physically go off- run, allow the ef? ciency of highly skilled and well-paid shore will be reduced, but these are often antisocial jobs, personnel, such as ROV pilots, to work across multiple unconducive to family life, so many will not mourn their ships and not be stuck on one vessel on one job. If there is, passing, the company believes.

for example, a technical breakdown with an ROV offshore, Remote vessel operations also have the potential to a skilled pilot on a fully manned ‘traditional’ operation change the currently poor levels of diversity in maritime might be left twiddling their thumbs for hours or days, for the better. The traditional, physical and psychological but with remote operation in minutes they can immedi- demands of these jobs change considerably when they are ately be piloting another ROV from a different ship, even brought ashore. Where in the past, ageing, physically chal- in a different ocean. lenged or those wishing to start families or care for relatives “There are countless other bene? ts too, from enabling a would have had to hang up their sea boots for good, now better work/life balance for staff by allowing them to per- they have more options.

form offshore tasks onshore, to improved safety and faster deployment capabilities. The truth of it is our customers Pods work with us because we can offer a combination of all of If there’s a single room at Ocean In? nity where most the above, and often other aspects we’d not even thought of this magical transformation will be made ? esh, it’s the of ourselves, re? ecting the steep learning curve we, and this Remote Control Center (RCC). With the air of a Bond new industry, are on.” villain’s lair, this huge dark space, nestled in the bowels of

One common concern in the wider economy around the operation, is where the various maritime experts will automation is its potential to hurt job numbers and op- control the to-ings and fro-ings of diverse operations from portunities within the industry. In the short run at least, cable route surveys to seabed cone penetration testing.

www.marinelink.com MN 21|

MN June23 Layout 18-31.indd 21 5/19/2023 3:56:19 PM