The Maritime Economist Magazine Spring 2015 | Page 41

THEMARITIME Economist

voice of young generation

Another issue to be considered on board ships is
to introduce the new technologies to crews. This
is certain that new technologies improve efficiency
and effectiveness of watch keeping and improve
safety of operations. Therefore, training is required
for the seafarers to physically operate the new
systems in order to make better decisions. The
Marine Safety Committee (MSC/Circ. 1091) has
noted the significance of training requirements for
new technologies and importance of using high-tech
navigational operational and managerial equipment as
well as subjects for use of information and data during
routine ship operations and emergencies.
Technology is improving continuously and new
products facilitate our lives. We have experienced
several innovations, designs and radical changes
through the maritime history. Then, what kind of new
technologies are expected in the future?

phones, and especially at the commercial point of
view, drones will take a significant role in every steps
of marine transportations.
Oculus Rift : Simulator centers are a requirement

for young students as ocean-going master candidates.
However, with Oculus Rift’s virtual-reality technology,
all students may/will have their own simulators.
Think that you are lying on a bed in your room but
simultaneously you are a captain of 400 m ocean
going container vessel. Ocean currents, rain, whales,
currents and whatever you want. Yes, you feel you’re
actually inside these environments when using Oculus
Rift. This very improving and cheap technology will
trigger to re-think the education of maritime faculties.
Mobile collaboration : Internet is either too slow

or no connection in the vessels. We will experience
in the near future that everywhere including oceans
in the earth will be inside the coverage range. Thus,

Drones : Drones are small, cheap, fast and easy to

Many scenarios may be created, for example,
carriage food without mooring, or carrying
medicine to another vessel if it is needed. Finally,
radars may have deviations in the some particular
places such as Polar Regions. Therefore, in order
to detect the probable obstacles such as debris, iceberg,
rocks etc. Radars are limited and it works with echoes,
eyes are limited with the two or three miles, approaching
pirate attacks can be known by using drones. In the
near future, everybody will have a drone like smart-

ME Mag

use and can help mariners with several aspects. First
of all, seeing a dropped passenger or crew from the
air, his/her approximate location, whether or not
s/he is alive. Second, drones can capture multispectral
images to determine the oil leakage, depth, and even
whales in order to prevent strikes to hull. Drones will
come for oil and gas exploration and production in
the far north. Drones can carry something if it is
needed in a predefined amount.

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