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AUTOMATED COLLISION AVOIDANCE - A NEW LOOK AT AN OLD PROBLEM -

The Merchant Marine has for some time needed an Automated Collision Avoidance System. The advent of this equipment could herald startling changes in bridge operation. However, one is forced to remember that at one time the relative motion unstabilized radar was heralded as a boon to the Maritime Industry in the form of a tool to reduce, if not eliminate collisions at sea. While we eagerly await the time when all ships are equipped with ACAS, we also recognize the need for maintaining--in fact, increasing--the skill of the Deck Officer to make collision avoidance assessments. These questions must be asked: What happens when he is forced to fall back on his standby system? When all ships are ACAS equipped, will we now have a new generation of problems where a Deck Officer using the trial maneuver mode decides on a safe maneuver in a complex grouping of ships, maneuvers and finds himself now forced to make yet another decision? How do we prepare these men to make use of the information displayed? We must recognize that though the equipment is automated and displays tremendous quantities of informations, it still requires the final closing of the system loop by a decision from the Deck Officer. This paper treats these and other questions and proposes changes in time honored techniques of plotting and maneuvering by Radar. These changes will adequately compensate for the occasion when a malfunction reduces the automated system to its basic component. This study has been underway for approximately two years. The Deck Officers, who will ultimately be responsible for the proper operation of any ACAS, have been involved as test subjects. Even though this work has covered a wide range of considerations in the area of collision avoidance, there are many areas still under study.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Presented at the RTCM Assembly Meeting, St. Petersburg, Fla., April 1-3, 1974, with the Propeller Club of the United States. Vol. 1, Papers A-F, Maritime Electronics. Vol. 2, Papers G-N, Maritime Satellite Systems and Maritime Navigation. Vol. 3, Papers O-T, Maritime Telecommunication Trends. Vol. 4, Papers 0A-0I, Maritime Transponders and Collision Avoidance Systems. Sold as a complete 4 volume set for $15.00.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Radio Technical Commission for Marine Services

    /Federal Communications Commission
    Washington, DC  United States  20554
  • Authors:
    • Carpenter, M H
    • Waldo, W W
  • Publication Date: 1974-4

Media Info

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00057094
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Radio Technical Commission for Marine Services
  • Report/Paper Numbers: Symposium Papers 0D
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Aug 16 1974 12:00AM