BV helps ensure compliance for remote service

The concept and capability have been successfully demonstrated when the ROSS-retrofitted, BV-classed supply ship VN Rebel was operated by a SeaOwl captain who was able to maintain remote command of the vessel navigating off the French port of Toulon.

Jean-Baptiste Gillet, director of advanced services for BV, said it was a pleasure to test the NI 641 guidance in a project such as ROSS. “It confirms the need to have a thorough risk assessment of the different remotely operated functions, identifying all potential operational scenarios and challenges,” he said.

The VN Rebel sailed in compliance with the IMO resolution for the trial of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships. This is the first time that this resolution has been applied in France to a ship of this size.

BV assessed the system to demonstrate equivalence with traditional requirements for safe navigation and operations as required under SOLAS. The analysis addressed the resilience of the communications link provided by Marlink (also a partner in the project), the remote operation of watch-keeping and communications functions. The analysis also included the corresponding remote operations of the machinery including engine and dynamic positioning provided by Sirehna (also a partner in the project).

During the test the crew also demonstrated responses to scenarios such as a weather incident resulting in the loss of connectivity and a cybersecurity attack.