A study of more than 8,000 Norwegian captains found a strong correlation between professional commitment and skepticism towards autonomous ships. Those who were most hesitant about the safety of unmanned ships were captains who were proud of their profession.
Researchers believe this resistance stems from a feeling of loss of control. Unlike autopilot systems, which the crew can activate and deactivate as needed, autonomous ships remove human decision-making from the equation. Lack of direct control is particularly dangerous for navigation in unexpected situations or emergencies.
“Sailors are best suited to make decisions in complex situations,” says Asbjørn Lane Aalberg, lead author of the study. It emphasizes the importance of “seamanship” – a sailor’s professional judgment and experience – which machines cannot currently replicate.
Interestingly, the study also points to generational differences. Younger and more experienced captains expressed more skepticism than their older counterparts. This brings to mind fears of potential job losses or changes in working conditions in the maritime industry.
Source: Ferra
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
