Monitoring of the process of safe divergence on the part of an unmanned vessel

Abstract

The paper deals with the problem of control of maneuvers in the divergence of vessels. In a situation of dangerous convergence of vessels, one of them must take a maneuver for safe divergence in accordance with the COLREGS (International Rules of Preventing Collision at Sea). In this case, the vessel, which is given way, must maintain its course and speed. However, it must also monitor compliance with the divergence obligations by the oncoming vessel. The problems arising in the case when the vessel, which is given way, is an unmanned vessel controlled by an automatic agent. The reasons are given for the fact that the behavior of the oncoming vessel may differ from what is expected from the agent managing the vessel to which they must give way. For these cases, the criteria are provided by which the agent operating the unmanned vessel can detect the situation of non-compliance by another vessel with its divergence obligations, in order to take timely action to avoid a collision by maneuvering agent’s vessel in accordance with the COLREGS.