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Is an autonomous ship a 'ship' in the eyes of the law?

Different definitions of 'ship' appear in different statutes and conventions, and it has often fallen to judges to decide if a floating object is, or is not, a 'ship'. , none of the definitions of 'ship' requires that the floating object be manned, generally simply requiring that it be used or be capable of being used in navigation. Whether this is by remate control or fully autonomous would not appear to be a problem in terms of the legal definition of a 'ship'. It appears probable, , that autonomous ships are likely to fall within the legal definition of 'ship' and so will have to comply with the relevant laws and conventions the laws themselves rnight require some modification.

(Abridged from SEAWAYS-The lnternational Journal of the

Nautical Institute. Dec/2017).