As autonomous operations are increasing following the rapid developments in the shipping industry, the UK Maritime CoastGuard Agency (MCA) discusses of a team launching a data platform helping work being done in autonomous vessel development, which looks for more companies and organisations to come forward and test it.
On the first place, the first version of MARLab platform set on use about four weeks ago, its managers Solis Marine informed that the system has already 20 different datasets live and available for review, coming from its test site in Port of Portland.
The platform includes Live AIS, vessel arrivals, vessel estimated arrivals and sailings, vessels in port, wind and speed direction, bathymetry, chart data, tidal data, navigation exceptions.
Moreover, Solis Marine announced a future collaboration with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency to host a workshop during 2020, looking for more companies to get involved by testing the data platform and giving them the feedback needed to assist the MCA MARLab trial.
As the regulatory authority, we’re very keen to work with the industry to find a way of continuing the development of this vital and innovative sector without compromising ship safety. We know this kind of work will help the maritime industry create fit-for-purpose autonomous vessels.
…Dr Katrina Kemp from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency who oversees the MARLab work said.
Concluding, MARlab is funded by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund this work promotes the on-water testing of autonomous ships in the UK.
