Ships without crews

[Nigel Smith]

The future?

Crewless 'drone ships' will be sailing the seas by 2020

What concerns me is this statement;

'In the long term, drone ships are expected to help overcome the staffing shortages in the marine sector, with people increasingly reluctant to take on careers that mean months away from home. Instead, “virtual” captains and crews will be able to monitor the vessels from land, meaning normal home lives.'

To my limited knowledge it's next to impossible for our youngsters to get a career at sea, there are very few positions available and those that do become available are usually over subscribed.

As for 'months away from home' surely that's the appeal of the job, or at least it was when I joined up.

The statement about 'virtual captains and crews' leaves a lot to contemplate, how will a 'virtual' captain be trained? what will the roll of a 'virtual' crew entail?

I'm sure Rolls Royce have all the answers, but I'm not convinced

[Captain Kong]

I wonder how they will operate a Virtual Fire Fighting Team, if the cargo or engine room starts to burn?
How will they operate a Virtual Pirate watch??

Brian

[Nigel Smith]

Don't worry Brian, it'll only be a 'virtual' fire

[j.sabourn]

Only a virtual cargo, and also virtual passengers, served by virtual robots. One good thing though will only be virtual illegal immigrants, when stowaways discovered. Will only need virtual customs officers and virtual immigration officers, no need for virtual ratguards on ropes as no ropes and no rats. No illegal fumes from funnels or exhausts. No need for plimsoll marks as no life in danger, the positives far exceed the negatives for the owner of such a vessel. In fact no need to have an office ashore can run the ship himself from his computer at home in his mansion. What a future to look forward to. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

I am relaibly informed that the US has been for the last five years experimenting with such ships off the west coast. One benefit of such ships is no seasickness and no ships cook, what a wonderful concept.

[John Pruden]

nothing wrong with virtual things we have had a virtual government for years jp

[Les Woodard]

Crew less ships and driver less cars so when are we going to get planes without pilots. Oh that is right we have them already just not passenger ones I think. Looking forward to a self drive car as then I will be able to go up the pub and come home legless with out any problems not to mention sending the car out to get paying passengers while sitting on the fat backside reaping in the cash to save up to get my first cargo ship LOL. Will we be needing our legs much longer. Just a thought.

[Red Lead Ted]

Crew less ships and driver less cars . Will we be needing our legs much longer. Just a thought.

Les,

[Doc Vernon]

All this reminds me of our old Thread on our "Virtual Ship " Started by Mike Lawrence Lads!
By the way he is to return some time soon,as I have had Email from him of late!
Currently on a bit of rest leave ,hope we will soon have him back!
Now for some Virtual Tabnabs too! lol

[Les Woodard]

Bet he is stuck on Lesbos with all those les beans that where on the virtual ship hey LOL