5 min read
Just like self-driving cars, autonomous vessels have different levels of independence. At Level 2 the system detects obstacles, computes the course and advises the operator, but the human always makes the decision. We explain why that's the safest choice for the sea of today.
The autonomy levels explained
Maritime autonomy is often divided into four levels, comparable to the scale for self-driving cars:
- Level 1, Manual with assistance: the operator steers; the system supports with information.
- Level 2, Semi-autonomous: the system detects, computes a course and advises. The human always decides.
- Level 3, Autonomous with human oversight: the system executes on its own; the human supervises and intervenes.
- Level 4, Fully autonomous: the system operates entirely on its own without human intervention.
Why Level 2 is the right choice today
Higher autonomy levels sound attractive, but they bring legal, technical and safety risks that aren't yet mature on the open sea. At Level 2 the human stays in the loop: the system does the heavy computation and flags dangers, while the operator keeps the final decision. That combines the speed of AI with the judgement of an experienced skipper.
What does Level 2 look like in practice?
The operator sees a live picture of the surroundings on a tablet or laptop, including detected obstacles and an advised course. An approaching vessel, a buoy or a swimmer is automatically marked. The operator confirms or corrects the advice. That keeps the workload low, even when one person controls several drones at once.
Safety first
Because the human can always intervene, Level 2 is excellent for sensitive operations such as rescues and inspections in busy waters. As regulation and technology mature, the same brain can grow towards higher levels, without having to replace the boat.