Will AI Help Us to Improve Our Safety and Engineering in Shipboard Operations?

From the past up until recent times, we have seen many innovations in marine and aviation industry which is the part of supply chain management. Automation has impacted both industries in various ways. For instance, today, most seafarers are familiar with the pros and cons of unmanned engine rooms. With increased automation, crew sizes have decreased significantly. A crew member from the 1970s or 1980s would immediately notice the operational differences on a modern vessel.

Travelling back in time, if we look into the history of ship propulsion, we know that from oars and sail-driven vessels to steam engines, diesel engines, ship propulsion has continually evolved and improved, and, more recently, electric engines are more common.

Nowadays ‘AI’ prevails and we hear about it all the time! AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to machines that can learn, think, and perform tasks much like humans do, using both programmed and adaptive learning. Sometimes the task maybe something familiar, and at other times it is entirely new, requiring problem-solving skills based on past experiences.

Safety operations on board are essential to protect personnel in critical situations. For instance, many ships now have fixed firefighting systems, often using CO2 or water spray mist. Smoke, flame, and heat detectors are also installed to alert crew members of any fire in a specific zone. With the integration of AI and advanced automation, systems can guide personnel on the steps to take in such events, including instructions on bypassing malfunctioning systems if needed. Installing thermal or heat cameras can further enhance safety by continuously monitoring temperatures in key areas, automatically activating alarms or containment systems to prevent fires from spreading to adjacent zones.

AI for shipboard machinery can assist by providing immediate guidance when an alarm is triggered, similar to the troubleshooting instructions in a manual. It can automate solutions to issues encountered with the ship’s machinery, helping crew members respond quickly and effectively.

In navigation, most accidents are caused by human error. AI can help by automatically setting an optimal course, reducing fuel consumption and travel time by using data from ECDIS, radar, speed logs, AIS, and Doppler logs. With AI, we can navigate the ship more effectively, utilizing camera feeds and data collected from onboard devices and shore-based systems.

AI can play a vital role in handling onboard medical situations that arise from accidents or health emergencies. For example, AI-powered diagnostics can assist crew members in assessing symptoms and providing first-aid recommendations when medical professionals aren’t immediately accessible. In more severe cases, AI can connect with telemedicine services, sharing real-time health data to enable remote doctors to guide treatment. By monitoring crew health and detecting early signs of illness or injury, AI systems can also contribute to preventative care, ensuring that minor issues don’t escalate into critical situations while at sea.

During dangerous situations, such as grounding or a fire outbreak on the ship, AI can assist in launching the lifeboat. It can streamline the necessary steps to lower the lifeboat, ensuring a swift and efficient response in critical scenarios.

By assessing the hull’s roughness and various parameters that impact engine efficiency, AI can enhance the main engine’s performance. It can provide preemptive alerts to the chief or second engineer regarding factors that may affect engine performance, enabling timely interventions and adjustments.

AI can play a vital role in managing seafarers’ information, including their health and performance. By analyzing data collected during various types of voyages, AI can offer personalized recommendations and tips to help crew members enhance their performance aboard the vessel. This tailored approach ensures that seafarers receive the support they need to thrive in their roles, ultimately improving overall operational efficiency.

AI can facilitate self-paced training for individuals aiming to advance to the next rank. AI-driven tools and programmes can be designed specifically for this purpose, guiding users to identify and overcome shortcomings in the essential skills required for promotion. The AI may provide a rating system, indicating when a user has attained the necessary knowledge and competencies for advancement, thereby helping them prepare effectively for their next career step.

With crew changes, AI assist can play a crucial role with various daily tasks that crew members need to complete. These tasks can sometimes be challenging due to the varying experience levels of different crew members. By analyzing specific data collected, AI can enhance the crew’s ability to perform daily activities more efficiently than before, providing support alongside existing manuals and guidelines. This collaborative approach ensures a smoother transition and improved performance on board.

Utilizing high-definition cameras and surveillance systems, AI can significantly enhance ship security management by. These technologies can monitor activities around the vessel and provide real-time alerts to crew members, helping ensure a safe environment on board. Additionally, AI can serve as a guide for seafarers, offering recommendations and protocols to follow in various security situations, thereby improving overall safety measures.

AI can play a crucial role in managing the onboard IT systems. As most ship systems are now interconnected through computers, AI can automate maintenance scheduling for both hardware and software components. This proactive approach ensures optimal performance of the ship’s computers, minimizes downtime, and enhances the reliability of critical systems essential for smooth operations at sea.

During the ship’s arrival at port, seafarers benefit from detailed navigation support provided by AI, particularly in narrow channels where precision is crucial. By analyzing data from various onboard sensors and environmental factors, the system ensures safe passage through challenging waterways, significantly reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing overall efficiency during the docking process.

AI can streamline the paperwork and regulatory processes that must be followed during a ship’s stay at port. By automating the completion of necessary documents and ensuring compliance with local regulations, AI can significantly reduce administrative burdens on the crew. This not only saves time but also minimizes the risk of errors, helping to facilitate smoother operations during port calls.

Effective inventory management can be enhanced through AI, ensuring that critical or business spare parts are readily available. This includes essential items such as medical lifesaving equipment, firefighting appliances, and both portable and fixed extinguishing systems. Additionally, AI can assist in tracking inventory for the main engine, auxiliary engines, auxiliary boilers, main air compressors, purifiers, incinerators, oily water separators, ballast water treatment systems (BWTS), air conditioning systems, sewage treatment plants, freshwater generators, cargo tank monitoring systems, oil discharge monitoring systems, remote pumps, and accommodation parts.

Chatbots can assist seafarers in troubleshooting machinery by identifying patterns of malfunctions experienced by the crew. They provide suggestions and parameters to achieve optimal performance of the equipment.

Looking ahead – the future of AI in maritime operations In the future, AI may be utilized in numerous tasks beyond those mentioned here. However, the critical question remains: how much can we rely on AI’s results, and who will be responsible if those outcomes are incorrect? While some jobs may be taken over by AI, it is essential to ensure that we keep our skills up to date. Continuous skill development will enable us to maintain our employability. Additionally, there is a pressing need for legislation governing the outcomes produced by AI.

This article is written by 2^nd Engineer Zeeshan Ahmed, and was the Runner-up as part of the Engineers’ Day 2024 Essay Competition onboard our vessels