The rapid development of autonomous technology and robotics in the maritime industry has Congress wondering if the Coast Guard is keeping pace as both a user and regulator of these innovations.
In December, House lawmakers called top agency administrators to a briefing on Capitol Hill to review Coast Guard plans to create a regulatory framework for the safe operation of these emerging technologies, which are expected to transform the shipping industry, from inland barges to ocean containerships. They also wanted to know how the Coast Guard was using these technologies in its own operations.
Some lawmakers said regulatory efforts were too slow to emerge and that the Coast Guard lacked the expertise to leverage these technologies in its own operations. But at a December hearing before the House Transportation subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, officials said progress was being made on the complex task of overseeing this emerging industry.
Rear Adm. David C. Barata, deputy commandant for operations policy and assistant commandant for intelligence, said autonomous ship innovations are developing quickly and have the potential to improve maritime safety, remove crews from hazardous situations, reduce human error, and address the persistent mariner labor shortage.
But he said that as new technologies using artificial intelligence and autonomous and remote-controlled vessels expand, there will be more chances of conflict and safety risks with conventional vessels and other waterway users. This will pose challenges for industry and federal and international regulators to make sure these innovations are being used safely.
Barata said the Coast Guard continues to work with industry and government partners to oversee safe deployment of new technologies and is running pilot programs to this end.
The admiral also cautioned that since unmanned and remotely controlled vessels operate with advanced computing and communication technology, they are vulnerable to cybersecurity risks. As a result, the Coast Guard must balance “the need to encourage innovation with its duty to prevent nefarious use of these technologies through appropriate levels of oversight and regulation.”
Another complication is that existing Coast Guard regulations for commercial maritime operations are based on vessels being operated by onboard mariners and must be carefully updated to address uncrewed operations.
Barata explained that the service is currently evaluating the safety and feasibility of new technologies in the domestic industry and is working internationally to set up voluntary guidelines for the safe and secure operation of autonomous and remote cargo ship operations.
The Coast Guard is also looking at the safe introduction of alternative fuels for vessels, such as liquefied natural gas, and at the development of infrastructure to support these alternative fuels. “The Coast Guard will continue to engage with the industry to establish novel fuel system approvals, taking into consideration appropriate safeguards that ensure the safety and security of the marine transportation system,” he said.
The admiral said late last year that Congress approved a healthy budget for the Coast Guard to advance the use of these new technologies in their operations, especially to interdict drug smugglers.
The service has also launched a strategic plan, called Force Design 2028, aimed at deploying new technologies such as autonomous surface vessels and robotic aircraft to counter maritime threats, and created a Robotics and Unmanned System Office to oversee acquiring and using autonomous and unmanned systems in all missions and domains. The Coast Guard already operates three types of unmanned aircraft — short, medium, and long range — that are used in drug interdiction, fisheries enforcement, port inspections, and aids to navigation, as well as 300 drones, the admiral said.
A recent report by the National Academy of Sciences concluded that there is “significant opportunity” for the Coast Guard to use autonomous technologies for surveillance, search and tracking, and uncrewed vehicles to deliver equipment and supplies and conduct post-storm surveys and hazard mapping.
