Central sites

Haugesund

The town has been a hub for the maritime industries since the 1800s, and currently hosts maritime industries related to the shipbuilding industry and shipping. 70% of Haugesund’s industrial activities takes place in the maritime sector. This, together with the location of Knutsen OAS, Simsea and NMA makes Haugesund an important site for ASMOG in the study of initiatives, challenges and possibilities related to the automation shift. Our partner the Municipality of Haugesund facilitates access to important arenas, interlocutors and documents, and contributes to identifying central questions for research and analysis.

Simulation

A simulator consists of different components: a system for audio and visual environment; mathematical models combined with a set of initial conditions for prediction, visualization and control; control systems as rudders for the instructors. These systems generate physical, behavioural and operational realism and a system for monitoring evaluation and training. The layout of a simulator consists of a server, an instructor and a trainee station. In maritime training there are four central elements in simulator training: the simulator, the program, the participant and the instructor. We will conduct and make observations during simulation trainings for seafarers, and these trainings will represent a key case for research.

Our partner Simsea will provide the simulations and the “field” to conduct participant observation during simulation training, as well as the NMA’s testing of automation at Killingøy where observations will also take place. These are technology-supported simulations of real, complex maritime operations. The simulation training is of multiple interest to the project as the use of simulation in training includes human-machine interaction and serves as an arena of insight in automation used in operations and the seafarer’s interaction with operational technology. The simulator simultaneously carries the possibility to test new automation technology.  Drawing on existing psychological models like that of Blooms taxonomy model, defining competence as knowledge, skills and attitudes, we will pay particular attention to learning processes and explore the application, advantages and limitations of these models. Does this psychological model lack a social and cultural aspect?

Our exploration of simulation as competency-based training entails an emphasis on holism in seafarers’ use of knowledge, i.e., understanding knowledge not in a limited sense, but emphasizing the ability to use knowledge, and the importance of attitudes and experiences that participants bring into the operational field. 

Vessels

Seafaring vessels are another site of research, more specifically the vessels of our partner Knutsen OAS, where we as researchers will be on board with the seafarers; observing, participating to parts of the navigation and interviewing the crew in relation to actual technology, work forms and relations, navigation and ballast techniques, with a particular focus on the use, management, experience and understanding of these technologies. Our presence at the vessels will vary in time and depend on the company’s convenience, and preferably we will be able to observe in practice the use of non-automated (as well as automated) technology, implying that we will observe the management of sea operations both at vessels - and from the mainland. In addition, we will pay particular attention to questions related to the transport of oil and gas and LNG – which is central to both Knutsen OAS’s operations and under the NMA and IMO jurisdiction. In fact, IMO has in the last five years more than tripled the publication of reports/issues on automation. 

Automation systems

There are numerous advanced operations where sophisticated and innovative digital aids and technology are used in connection to transport of oil, such as in ship-to-ship operations and subsea explorations. The more specific selection of particular automation systems will be dependent on the need of the industries and will be decided in the first year of research. There are several automation processes which could be relevant to ASMOG. On the bridge of vessels, ECDIS, on deck, lifting and docking systems, in the engine room ballast and scrubber systems and externally to the vessel, mooring systems, work of DP and remotely operated subsea operations. These are examples of automation systems which are becoming extremely relevant in the offshore maritime sector and involving new kinds of interaction between the vessel crew and sophisticated automated systems; among the vessel crew; and not least with unpredictable nature and conditions at sea. All these scenarios make manifold and rich areas of study which have been under-investigated in the social sciences. For instance, ECDIS, a new sophisticated navigation system, is extremely accurate, but comes with new risks, as people tend to over-trust the system at the expense of other navigation systems. This and similar phenomena, will be investigated through ASMOG under the rubrics of “safety barriers” and “redundancies”.