Notes on the Design and Operation of Automated Ships

Abstract

In this paper I have tried to show how a ship designer may approach the problem of finding the most economical number of men to operate a proposed commercial ship. Although we are still ignorant of many cost factors, we can determine in a rough way about what the net annual saving in costs might be under various degrees of automation. A sample study illustrates the concepts discussed in the paper.&&The potential gains from work rationalization are stressed. The concept of the two-watch system with equal paid time ashore is analyzed and shown to be economically sound.