Title: Effective ship domain – Impact of ship size and speed

Author/Authors: Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, Mirosław Wielgosz

Place of publication: OCEAN ENGINEERING, vol. 129, pp. 108423

Year: 2021

Keywords: Collision avoidance manoeuvres, Simulation research, Ship domain, Safety zone, Ship encounters, Collision risk, Restricted area, Ship speed

Abstract: The ship domain is a concept commonly proposed as a safety assessment criterion in planning collision avoidance manoeuvres of a ship or its safe route. The work presents authors’ methods for determining an effective ship domain based on tests using Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) simulator. The tests were conducted on non-autonomous real time models of ships steered by expert navigators. Domains were determined for ships of different sizes and speeds. The ship domain was approximated to an ellipse. The study covered absolute and relative domains, the latter defined in ship length units. The dependence of the domain shape and size on ship size and speed has been analysed and described. The formulated analytical relationships enable us to determine the domain of a ship varying in size and speed.

Title: Navigators’ Behavior Analysis Using Data Mining

Author/Authors: Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, Mirosław Wielgosz, Marcin Breitsprecher

Place of publication: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 50

Year: 2020

Keywords: behavior patterns, sea navigation, safety profile, data mining

Abstract: One of the ways to prevent accidents at sea is to detect risks caused by humans and to counteract them. These tasks can be executed through an analysis of ship maneuvers and the identification of behavior considered to be potentially dangerous, e.g., based on data obtained online from the automatic identification system (AIS). As a result, additional measures or actions can be taken, e.g., passing at a distance greater than previously planned. The detection of risks at sea requires a prior definition of behavior patterns and the criteria assigned to them. Each pattern represents a specific navigator’s safety profile. The criteria assigned to each pattern for the identification of the navigator’s safety profile were determined from previously recorded AIS data. Due to a large amount of data and their complex relationships, these authors have proposed to use data mining tools. This work continues previous research on this subject. The conducted analysis covered data recorded in simulation tests done by navigators. Typical ship encounter situations were included. Based on additional simulation data, the patterns of behavior were verified for the determination of a navigator’s safety profile. An example of using the presented method is given.

Title of monograph: Development of Transport by Telematics

Title of chapter: The Determination of the Sea Navigator Safety Profile Using Data Mining

Author/Authors: Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, Mirosław Wielgosz, Marcin Breitsprecher

Year: 2019

Keywords: sea navigation, navigator, safety profile, data mining

Abstract: A person steering a transport vehicle needs to have qualifications confirmed by appropriate certificates. The holder of the certificates has to satisfy the criteria for a transport vehicle operator set under mandatory examination procedures. The operator safety profile, identified on the basis of psychological assessment, can essentially complement these criteria. The profile can be broadened from a comprehensive analysis of operator’s actual behaviour, based on electronic data from recorders installed in the vehicle. In shipping, the data would come mainly from the automatic identification system and voyage data recorders. This article proposes to use data mining tools for an analysis and identification of selected characteristics of sea navigator’s safety profile.

ISBN: 978-3-030-27546-4

Title: Operations of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships

Author/Authors: Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, Jerzy Hajduk

Place of publication: TransNav-International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 725-733

Year: 2019

Keywords: Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), Autonomous Ship, MASS Technology, MASS Autonomy, MASS Safety, Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Application (AAWA), Sea Traffic Management (STM), Situational Awareness at Sea, Situational Awareness at Sea

Abstract: Advancing technologies create unique opportunities for constructing autonomous ships, which, in turn, raise growing interest of the maritime industry, shipowners in particular. These authors have analyzed actions taken in this field and some aspects related to the operations of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS). The presented case study refers to a ship with a skeleton crew on a deep sea voyage, where the ship’s autonomy is narrowed to the fourth stage of transport task – sea voyage and its navigational aspect.

Title: Navigation decision support for sea-going ships in port approach areas

Author/Authors: Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, Janusz Magaj, Mirosław Wielgosz

Place of publication: Zeszyty Naukowe Akademii Morskiej w Szczecinie, vol. 54, no. 126, pp. 75-83

Year: 2018

Keywords: navigation, safety, decision support, collision avoidance

Abstract: Port approaches are high-traffic areas with limited manoeuvring space. Navigation in such areas requires the analysis of large amounts of information, which can impede decision processes. One solution may be the development of decision support systems dedicated to these areas. This paper presents an attempt to build a navigation decision support system operable in the approach area leading to the port of Świnoujście (Poland), with ship domain implemented as a safety criterion. Assumptions for a decision support system to be used by sea-going vessels in port approach areas are formulated and discussed. Specific features of these areas, such as traffic density, bathymetry, available manoeuvring space and legal limitations are taken into account. The source and scope of information available to the ship have been analysed. The scope of decision support has been defined. A ship domain has been proposed as a safety criterion. Approach areas leading to the port of Świnoujście have been investigated on the basis of real Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. Vessel movement processes in the chosen area were analysed. Ship domains in various parts of the area were determined. The first results concerning criteria for navigational safety assessment are presented. The conducted studies showed significant differences in the size of domains. A case study was performed on a decision support system operable in the approach area leading to Świnoujście.

Title of monograph: Management Perspective for Transport Telematics

Title of chapter: Autonomous Ship – Responsibility Issues

Author/Authors: Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, Rafał Malujda

Year: 2018

Keywords: Autonomous ship, Responsibility, Safety, Security law, Economic efficiency

Abstract: Research on autonomous road vehicles, aircraft and vessels is presently underway at many research centres. The work is being enhanced by two factors: growing interest of future users and new technologies that make constructing autonomous vehicles possible. One of the problems to be solved in this context is to establish a party or parties responsible for undesired events that may hinder the execution of a transport task, and, first and foremost, create safety risks to personnel, ship, cargo and the environment. These authors look into the stages of a transport task and identify areas calling for legislative measures addressing safety, security and responsibility.

ISBN: 978-3-319-97954-0

Title: Ship domainin various visibility conditions in restricted waters

Author/Authors: Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, Marek Siemianowicz, Mirosław Wielgosz

Place of publication: Annual of Navigation, vol. 25, pp. 41-50

Year: 2018

Keywords: navigational safety, restricted area, ship domain

Abstract: Ship domain is one of navigational safety assessment criteria. Its shape and size depend on many factors, including visibility. This article examines the influence of visibility on the shape and dimensions of ship domain in restricted waters. The research was conducted using a simulator of the ECDIS system with the participation of experts’ navigators. The domains of ships in good and restricted visibility have been compared.

Title: Analysis and generation of messages in an automatic communication system at sea

Author/Authors: Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, Paweł Banaś, Paulina Hatłas-Sowińska, Piotr Wołejsza

Place of publication: Archives of Transport System Telematics, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 38-44

Year: 2017

Keywords: automatic communication, message interpretation, navigation

Abstract: The development of unmanned remotely controlled and autonomous vehicles necessitates seeking new and improving existing systems of communications between such objects themselves and control or monitoring centers. This applies to maritime transport and other areas of transport. The article characterizes communication processes between the navigators on ships taking place via VHF in view of their automation. Some of the issues concerning analysis processes of message reception and generation of outgoing messages resulting from automatic reasoning are discussed. We also consider selected operations: message parsing, interpretation of data concerning the context and generation of outgoing message. An example is given of the analysis of the received message and corresponding answer.

Title: Decision Support in Collision Situations at Sea

Author/Authors: Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, Piotr Wołejsza, Piotr Borkowski

Place of publication: JOURNAL OF NAVIGATION, vol. 70, no. 3, pp. 447-464

Year: 2017

Keywords: Navigation, Collision avoidance, Decision support system

Abstract: The known navigational systems in use perform information functions and as such are helpful in the process of safe conduct of a vessel. One of the ways to assist in reducing the number of marine accidents is the development of systems which perform decision support functions, i.e. automatically generate solutions to collision situations. The use of information (and communication) technologies including knowledge engineering allows the generation of proposals for anti-collision manoeuvres taking into account the COLREGs. Demand for further enhancement of navigational safety by limiting human errors has initiated a trend to convert navigational information systems into decision support systems. The implementation of decision support systems will potentially reduce the number of human errors, which translates into a reduction of accidents at sea and their adverse consequences. This paper presents a summary of the research to date on the navigational decision support system NAVDEC. The system has been positively verified in laboratory conditions and in field tests – on a motor ferry and a sailing ship. Challenges associated with the development and implementation of such systems are outlined.

Title of monograph: Automation of collisions avoidance processes at sea

Author/Authors: Zbigniew Pietrzykowski

Year: 2017

Keywords: nawigacja morska, antykolizja, automatyzacja, statek autonomiczny, sea navigation, automation, anti-collision, autonomous vessel

Abstract: The aim of this study is addressing the issues of automating the processes of collision avoidance at sea, particularly the decision making process based on an analysis and assessment of a navigational situation. The current state of research in this field is presented, along with challenges related to the construction and operation of unmanned and autonomous vessels. Rapid advancements in technology have broadened the opportunities for the automation of planning and executing transport functions in order to enhance the safety and improve the efficiency of shipping. One of the reasons behind attempts to automate and facilitate navigator’s duties is that accidents continue to happen with the primary cause being human error. Research carried out at various centres comprises both automation of individual processes and development of comprehensive solutions – the construction of autonomous and remotely controlled unmanned vessels. The first part of this work (chapters 1, 2 and 3) is an introduction to water transport issues and characterizes maritime and inland shipping, means of trans- port, ports and waterways as elements of the transport system infrastructure. Problems relating to the analysis and assessment of navigational situations and the application of such assessment to identifying dangerous situations, and prevent collisions at sea, are tackled in the second part (Chapters Four, Five and Six). The final chapter, Chapter Seven, indicates the present state, directions of research on autonomous ships, and the functions and scope of action of land-based centres operating unmanned and autonomous vessels. The legal aspect of the construction and operations of this type of ship has been examined. Attention is drawn to issues requiring further research, and to development directions and associated challenges. The chapter summarizes the considerations contained in this monograph and outlines projected scenarios of maritime shipping development.

ISBN: 978-83-64434-18-1

Title of monograph: European Navigation Conference 2017

Title of chapter: Proof-of-concept demonstrator to Improve Safety of Maritime navigation in the Baltic Sea

Author/Authors: Sarang Thombre, Robert Guinness, Heidi Kuusniemi, Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, Paweł Banaś, Piotr Wołejsza, Olli Seppälä, Juhani Laukkanen, Philippe Ghawi

Year: 2017

Keywords: Decision support system, situational awareness, crowdsourcing, navigation

Abstract: This paper describes the proof-of-concept demonstrator implemented as part of the project Enhanced Situational Awareness to Improve Maritime Safety in the Baltic (BONUS ESABALT). The demonstrator represents the system as used in different classes of vessels including leisure craft (small boats), larger ships, and authority vessels. Various validation scenarios are implemented to demonstrate the system functionality, for example application of ESABALT to aid in recovery operations after an oil spill, rerouting in the presence of significant sea-ice, aiding vessel navigation in case of a GNSS interference event, and situations where multiple ships are in distress. The demonstrator is implemented on a laptop computer and using the FURUNO FFSC-200 software environment, FURUNO Finland FICE-100 ice radar and FOIL-200 oil radar, live ship data from AIS receivers, dashboard camera, and the FURUNO Navisimu simulator environment. The simulated data include AIS tracks, radar echo and tracks, and small boat tracks. The paper also describes the implementation challenges, quality of service factors, and results of the economic and non-economic viability analysis of the proposed ESABALT system for potential full-implementation in the future. This study shows that the system would be cost-effective and the benefits to international cooperation, maritime safety, and environmental monitoring would outweigh the management costs necessary to sustain it.

ISBN: 978-1-5090-5922-5

Title: Ship Domain as a Safety Criterion in a Precautionary Area of Trafic Separation Scheme

Author/Authors: Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, Janusz Magaj

Place of publication: TransNav - The International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 93-98

Year: 2017

Keywords: ship domain, navigation, traffic

Abstract: The ship domain is one of the criteria for navigational safety assessment. It is particularly important in restricted areas with high intensity traffic, where the criteria of closest point of approach (CPA) and time to CPA are difficult to apply. This research continues to examine ship domains in Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS). We have analyzed precautionary areas established within TSSs in connection with changed arrangements of vessel traffic. Besides, we have defined ship domains in a precautionary area of a specific TSS, and compared them to domains of vessels proceeding along traffic lanes.