Risk Management of Autonomous Marine Systems and Operations

Abstract

Autonomous systems may lead to smarter and more efficient operations, but emerging risks are involved, because of lack of knowledge and operational experience with such systems, and challenges related to verification of safe performance. The objective of this paper is to clarify, categorize, and classify risk related to autonomous marine systems, and establish a foundation for risk management of such systems. Autonomous systems are usually associated with unmanned systems, but several manned systems, e.g., offshore oil and gas rigs and ships with complex automation and dynamic positioning (DP) systems, have certain control functionality that may be characterized as autonomous. Therefore, this paper addresses both manned and unmanned systems with different levels of autonomy. This means that the concept of autonomy in this paper includes a range of systems and operations with increasing complexity and major hazard potential, even though autonomous ships are used to exemplify. Hence, the paper addresses a broader approach in contrast to the traditional focus on robotics.

An initial hierarchical systems structure for systemic hazard analysis of autonomous ships

“…Autonomous ships are systems with embedded software and high functional dependencies and integration. This makes them complex systems, where a software may control separated subsystems, and depend on other systems operating across the physical boundaries (Utne et al, 2017) As explained in the previous section, systemic hazard analysis could then be applied to autonomous ships as complex systems and prevent the hazardous scenarios related to both their components and interactions. Applying these modern techniques at the systems development and design stages could improve safety (Fleming et.…”

At least as safe as manned shipping? Autonomous shipping, safety and “human error”

“…This is emergent research and there is not much hard knowledge in the area, although some papers have been published, e.g. (Utne et al 2017) and (Rødseth & Tjora 2014).…”

Sea state estimation using multiple ships simultaneously as sailing wave buoys

“…It is therefore essential to possess knowledge about the onsite wave system, or generally the sea state, since predictions and analyses of wave-induced loads and responses otherwise are difficult to make. This relates directly to the development of the (fully) autonomous ships, where a high-level risk-based supervising controller provides set-points to the lowlevel control-execution controller [1,2]. Today, these kind of decisions typically rely heavily on the operator's experience, situational awareness and understanding of risk.…”