Collision Avoidance in the e-Navigation Environment

This paper reports the results of a study carried out by Helios for the General Lighthouse Authorities of the UK & Ireland into developments in collision avoidance systems, how they will influence the future development of marine aids to navigation and how they fit into the concept of e-Navigation. Collision avoidance is considered in the wider sense of preventing groundings and striking fixed obstacles, as well as ships colliding with other ships. A survey of the market was carried out to consider the scope and functionality of collision avoidance equipment, including the automatic identification system (AIS), as well as to consider the way in which available equipment operates in the coastal and harbour waters of the UK and Ireland. The paper considers existing technology of relevance to collision avoidance, including Class A and B AIS equipment, manufacturer specific aids to collision avoidance (e.g. non standardised techniques and functions that aid detection or resolution of potential collision scenarios). The implementation of current automated collision avoidance alarming was studied, for example whether alarms are triggered by zones or through greater algorithmic intelligence. The human-machine interface of present systems was also investigated, whether information is provided only on a Minimum Keyboard and Display (MKD), integrated with an ECDIS, or overlaid on radar data and whether it is standalone or integrated with other ship systems. The interface to/integration with GNSS to provide positioning and timing data for the AIS collision avoidance function was investigated and comparisons made with collision avoidance techniques from the aviation sector. The paper provides an overview of the technology used in maritime collision avoidance equipment and its functionality as well as how it is used and which groups use which technologies. The findings are then combined in the context of the developing concept of e-Navigation to identify the ways in which the services and infrastructure of the GLAs may be impacted by future developments in the maritime collision avoidance environment.