The safety of overtaking maneuvers for seagoing vessels is a crucial element during navigation in restricted waters. The specificity of a restricted water area reduces the available maneuvering space. One of the factors determining the collision-free execution of an overtaking maneuver is the correct assessment of the lateral distance between vessels during the maneuver. The article presents the causes of ship collisions during overtaking in restricted waters.1. INTRODUCTION
Navigation at sea is associated with risks that are shaped depending on the sailing area, ship parameters, the personnel operating the vessel, and hydrometeorological conditions. Navigation is the process of guiding a ship while taking into account external conditions and determining its position in order to safely carry out the transport task. External conditions include the bathymetric characteristics of the water area along with its hydrometeorological conditions and the intensity of ship traffic. The environment in which seagoing vessels move is a specific setting that creates a number of unforeseen situations. The constant increase in ship traffic intensity and vessel size leads to a decrease in safety in maritime transport.
The navigational personnel of seagoing vessels must carry out navigation, i.e., safely guide the ship from the port of departure to the destination port, in conditions where the probability of collision with another object is high [2, 3]. The consequences of such an event include the loss of transport assets, threats to human life (crew and passengers), and environmental pollution. Ship collisions at sea will always occur, especially frequently in restricted areas and difficult weather conditions, where a navigator under stress is exposed to making an incorrect decision to avoid a collision during an overtaking maneuver.
Equipping ships with object detection systems and mutual communication means is standard. However, these systems do not contain an advisory element that allows for the development and indication of the correct decision to be made in order to avoid a collision. (…)
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Source: Logistyka Magazine 4/2011