An expert system for maritime pilots: Its design and assessment using gaming

Increased maritime traffic, new types of vessels, and construction of oil and gas producing structures have made navigating in close waters more hazardous. In addition, attempts to increase shipboard productivity have resulted in fewer personnel on board the vessel. This paper reports on the development and evaluation of a prototype expert system to support the cognitive processes involved in piloting: maneuvering and collision avoidance, and the practice of good seamanship. A model was constructed and implemented in a frame- and rule-based representation. The system was assessed using gaming with novice pilots in a merchant marine training facility. The results showed significant improvement in the bridge watch team performance, but no significant improvement in vessel performance in terms of trackkeeping. The paper concludes with a discussion of the motor, perceptual, and cognitive skills needed for piloting and how they could be supported by expert system technology as part of an integrated bridge system, an operational center for navigational and supervisory tasks aboard a ship.