Workshop on "Exploring Safe design and operations for the European Unmanned Maritime Systems”

National or international rules, regulations and legislation governing safe operations at sea which are applicable to unmanned maritime vehicles are virtually non-existent. A common understanding of minimum safety procedures and a joint view on rules and regulations amongst European navies would enhance interoperability in future joint maritime operations and training.

To address this important issue, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and Sweden launched a specific project on “Safety and Regulations for European Unmanned Maritime Systems” (SARUMS) under the umbrella of the EDA “Unmanned Maritime Systems” (UMS) R&T programme. The project kicked-off last June and aims to address regulation, legislation and safety issues related to design and operations of UMS. Its main output will be a best practice safety guide for Unmanned Maritime Systems that recognises their operational usage, legal status and the needs of Navies. The philosophy behind this guidance will be based on the management of risk as well as applicable rules and regulations. As additional outputs, the project will also work towards engaging the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in recognising the concept of UMS. For more information on the SARUMS project please see attached fact-sheet.

The SARUMS project is organising with the support of EDA a workshop on “Exploring Safe design and operations for the European Unmanned Maritime Systems”. The workshop will feature two days of presentations on UMS safety, related to operations and design as well as relevant rules and regulations. The event aims at highlighting possibilities and risks; as well as technologies and solutions available to meet challenges and requirements from the foreseen increase in the future use of UMS in military and civilian applications.

The workshop will take place in EDA on 18-19 April. For more information on the workshop please see "Call for papers".

We note that proposals for contributions should be emailed to EDA (solon.mias@eda.europa.eu) no later than 29 February 2012.

Check the flyer here.