Autonomous Navigation in Confined Waters -- A COLREGs Rule 9 Compliant Framework

TL;DR

This paper introduces a COLREGs Rule 9 compliant navigation framework for autonomous vessels operating in confined waters, integrating manoeuvrability assessment into a Situation Awareness system demonstrated via simulation.

Contribution

It presents a novel method for evaluating vessel manoeuvrability and applying COLREGs Rule 9 within an existing SAS framework for autonomous navigation in restricted waters.

Findings

Effective manoeuvrability assessment method developed

Simulation demonstrates COLREGs-compliant navigation in confined waters

Framework supports autonomous vessels near shore and in narrow channels

Abstract

Fully or partial autonomous marine vessels are actively being developed by many industry actors. In many cases, the autonomous vessels will be operating close to shore, and within range of a Remote Control Center (RCC). Close to shore operation requires that the autonomous vessel is able to navigate in close proximity to other autonomous or manned vessels, and possibly in confined waters, while obeying the COLREGs on equal terms as any other vessel at sea. In confined waters however, certain COLREGs rules apply, which might alter the expected actions (give-way or stand-on), depending on the manoeuvrability of the vessels. This paper presents a Situation Awareness (SAS) framework for autonomous navigation that complies with COLREGs rule 9 (Narrow Channels). The proposed solution comprises a method for evaluating the manoeuvrability of a vessel in confined waters, for assessing the applicability of COLREGs rule 9. This feature is then integrated into an already existing SAS framework for facilitating COLREGs-compliant navigation in restricted waters. The applicability of the proposed method is demonstrated in simulation using a case study of a small autonomous passenger ferry.