Weather charts, also known as surface pressure or synoptic charts, provide useful information on weather and sea conditions. Safe Skipper’s Simon Jollands recommends to mariners to always study weather charts and estimate how the weather is likely to evolve in the area they plan to sail in.
Japanese shipping company MOL and electronics firm Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. made a joint presentation of their advanced augmented reality (AR)-based Navigation System. The system provides visual support to crew members during their watch-keeping and ship operations by using AR technology.
MOL collaborated with Oki Electric Industry (OKI), to launch a joint study on the use of OKI’s bird’s-eye view monitoring system to monitor a 360° field of view around a tugboat. The system was installed on the tugboat Asaka Maru and a preliminary experiment was conducted.
On 24-25 September, EMSA organised a workshop on the implementation of a system of inspections for the safe operation of ro-ro passenger ships and high-speed passenger craft in regular service, entering into force on 20 December. During the workshop, the guidance documentation developed by EMSA for inspectors was finalised, while updates were also given on THETIS for Port State Control as well as on the new module on THETIS EU for Flag States.
The research project Prepare Ships, led by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, will develop a navigation system that foresees the positions of other ships through machine learning. This limits the risk of collisions and enables more efficient navigation. The project has recently received funding through the ‘European GNSS Agency’, GSA.
The US Coast Guard announced the availability of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 01-16 Change 2, “Use of Electronic Charts and Publications in Lieu of Paper Charts, Maps and Publications,” along with a Deregulatory Savings Analysis.
According to the MPA Singapore, because of the presence of haze, the visibility in the Singapore Strait and port waters could be significantly reduced. Namely, it has been reported that the average 24-hour PSI level is between 101 and 200. This PSI level range is considered as unhealthy.
The UK Department for Transport bought a new ship for the General Lighthouse Authority to enhance safety in domestic waters. The vessel – which is yet to be named – is expected to replace the ageing THV Patricia that has been in service since 1982.
According to the Shipowners’ Club, with effect from 20 August 2019, under Regulation PM No. 7 of 2019, the Ministry of Transportation of The Republic of Indonesia has made it mandatory for ships sailing in Indonesian waters to install and activate an Automatic Identification System (AIS).
For autonomous shipping to gain regulatory and societal acceptance, this technology must be at least as safe as traditional ships, said the UK P&I Club in a new paper. A successful approach to change would be to develop regulations in tandem with technological advancements, always maintaining the focus on safety.
