Smart ships-COLREG 2 Potential consequences when using different COLREG algorithms

Research Project, 2022

Smart vessels and automated systems will require a reliance upon algorithm-based solutions that infer interpretations of the COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972).  Many papers suggest different solutions how the rules may be implemented in algorithms, however, the parameters controlling how close quarters situations are avoided may potentially differ between different solutions.

The project will build on similar traffic situations handled by test persons in Lighthouse project FP5_2020 COLREG but the situations will be handled purely by autonomous ships with different algorithms developed by Wärtsilä and Seamade. While, due to commercial reasons, Wärtsilä’s algorithm is not explicitly described, the project will have full control over Seamades algorithm. This also gives the possibility to verify/validate algorithms not further described by provoking situations and changing settings which e.g., Wärtsilä’s algorithm will not be able to handle.