Addressing the hazards of remote inspection techniques: a safety-net for vessel surveys

Abstract

Emerging technologies and technologies with emerging applications are stark catalysts of transformation in the maritime industry. As the industry progressively shifts to remote inspection techniques (RIT), there is a growing need to identify and assess the potential hazards that exist within the breadth and scope of vessel surveys and inspections. Such an assessment is essential bearing in mind the limitations, drawbacks and negative externalities pertaining to robotic platforms that are being integrated into the traditional manual-driven system. Moving the RIT-agenda forward entails optimisation of the human-robotic interface (free from seen and unforeseen impacts) that remains a prerequisite to the conduct of classification and statutory surveys. Drawing on findings from in-depth interviews with subject matter experts, this article makes recommendations for an RIT survey ‘safety net’ covering pre, ongoing and post operational aspects, and addressing data governance and psychosocial hazards as well as the hazards arising from the absence of a common legal liability framework.