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GAO-24-107059 1 (2024-08-08)

handle is hein.gao/gaoqqn0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Why This Matters Key Takeaways Autonomous ships are those ships and vessels that include some level of autonomy. Such ships range from crewed ships with automated processes and decision support to ships that can make decisions and determine actions without human involvement. These ships have technologies that can allow them to autonomously navigate, avoid collisions, control the speed and direction of the ship, or communicate with other ships. Autonomous ship technologies are developing quickly-domestically and abroad-and have the potential to transform the maritime environment. While autonomous ships offer a range of potential benefits, these new technologies also pose new safety risks that could present challenges to a U.S. legal framework that requires crews to be onboard. As autonomous ship technologies develop, some countries are pursuing various approaches to regulating them. In the U.S., the Coast Guard is the federal agency responsible for regulating U.S. waterways to ensure that they are safe and secure. This includes promulgating regulations and guidance pertaining to the design, construction, and operation of commercial ships; certifying their compliance with applicable laws and Coast Guard regulations; and issuing and administering the credentials of seafarers. The Coast Guard is currently conducting a statutorily directed pilot program for autonomous at-sea rocket recovery that began in 2023. The Coast Guard acts as the lead agency within the U.S. delegation to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)-a specialized agency of the United Nations with the responsibility for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping. The fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision for GAO to submit a report on, among other things, how commercial autonomous ships are used, how they may affect safety and the maritime workforce, and how these ships are regulated internationally and domestically. (Pub. L. No. 117-263, § 115040), 136 Stat. 2395, 4133-34 (2022)). This report describes commercial autonomous maritime ship usage globally and the associated benefits and challenges, how the IMO and selected countries are regulating these technologies, and how the Coast Guard is regulating autonomous ships and the challenges it may face in the future. Although the potential for autonomous ships is broad, current commercial uses are fairly narrow. According to the IMO, all current uses should have a human who is in control or can take control if needed. U.S and international stakeholders we interviewed described improved safety and efficiency, among other benefits. However, some expressed concerns and noted challenges involved in developing and proving these technologies for safe commercial use. Additionally, uncrewed or fully autonomous ship technologies may pose new safety risks in the maritime environment and Page 1 GAO-24-107059 Commercial Autonomous Ships Page 1 GAO-24-107059 Commercial Autonomous Ships

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