Identifying essential skills and competencies towards building a training framework for future operators of autonomous ships: a qualitative study

Abstract Past and ongoing research in the design, development, implementation of fully autonomous unmanned ships has revealed operational, environmental, financial benefits for maritime industry. However, with being highly intuitive intelligent systems, there are risks mistakes failures caused by their operators i.e. unavoidable human element. With predictions both seafarers non-seafarers to be involved critical operations vessels, it was imperative identify key stakeholders conduct which would investigate beliefs perceptions on training requirements future shore-based operators. The were 37 participants who a mix seafarers, regulators, education providers, persons other facets business. qualitative involving in-depth interviews provided insights helped identifying essential skills competencies towards building recommendatory framework can used as basis reform Standards Training, Certification, Watchkeeping (STCW) Code order make ready.