Mariners’ role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed

Mariners’ role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed

At the behest of Professional Mariner and many other interested parties within and outside of the maritime industry, I’ve been asking many questions about maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) relating to safety, security and future maritime careers. I have sought answers from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) and sources in the…
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App provides anonymous path to report violations on the water

App provides anonymous path to report violations on the water

The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) has received numerous reports of marine infractions after launching an app for anonymous tips in May. “We got one on an illegal charter performing livery for hire, and they even sent photos,” said Michael Berkow, director of CGIS. The images sent via the CGIS Tips app showed that the boat had some of…
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Faster, safer, cheaper: Drones taking flight for ship inspections

Faster, safer, cheaper: Drones taking flight for ship inspections

Drones are everywhere these days, from far-flung battlefields to family events. Where they haven’t gone, until recently, is into the confined hull spaces of ships. There, using tools that haven’t changed much in the past century, skilled professionals have been putting themselves at risk — sometimes amid toxic fumes or inadequate oxygen — to seek signs of metal fatigue, corrosion,…
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