USVs Don't Comply with Collision Regulations

Host Bill Hamblet talks with Coast Guard Lieutenant (junior grade) Brennan Suffern about unmanned surface vessels and his recent article in the February issue of Proceedings.
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[@edl653]

USVs are essentially a new class of ship, hence UNCLOS requires updating to account for the class's unique characteristics. There are two basic reasons for updated, maintaining a safety standard and eliminating legal/liability issues that complicate their usage throughout the world's oceans. The larger a USV, the more crucial new regulations are, as larger vessels pose a greater risk to other vessels.

[@navy_flyer4666]

As LTjg Suffern stated, COLREGS require lookouts on "vessels capable of carrying individuals or cargo". What about USV's that are not capable of being crewed (too small) and only have C4ISR payloads (no cargo)? So the lookout rule does not necessarily apply?

[@marcelmuise7282]

Lookouts are people. The rules require a proper look-out which is a function.

[@edl653]

I think new regulations need to account for vessel size, level of automation and self-defense capabilities.

[@LHoover]

Having no rules?! Even pirates have rules.

[@jollygreen4662]

Haha

[@shaqm0bile]

Ill be honest, at first I thought this was a tongue in cheek joke about the activities in the Black Sea.