IMPACT OF FULL AUTOMATION OF MERCHANT VESSELS IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSPORTING OF PASSENGERS AND CARGOES

This study aimed to determine the impact of full automation of merchant vessels in the improvement of transporting of passengers and cargoes. The gathering of data was conducted to three respected local ports in Quezon namely Dalahican Port, Atimonan Port and Pagbilao Port through descriptive research. Seventy (70) seafarer respondents who have experience and who are familiar to operate the automated control system technology of merchant vessels answered the survey questionnaire. Results revealed that the automated ship makes possible the safeness of the crew and vessel, has reliability in terms of safety devices, and warning alarm, and provided quick and accurated data and information to what danger are coming. This implied that the automated system on ship is very important and safety. The time work was reduced in using the automated system including to duty like in unmanned no duty rotated in night time, unlike non-automated ship where there was a need to duty during night time to monitor the machineries running at night in engine room. The loading and unloading was easy to monitor by using automated system and also he stability of the ship. The communication will be accurate and efficient because of the automated system. Meanwhile, the encountered problems in the use of the system was that some applications were not yet totally developed to give more information. Some seafarers lack of knowledge and skills because of the new technology. The technology era will override the old seafarer and they could not follow in the flow of time. Since the maritime management was concerned in this matter, it was recommended that an application of automation in maritime and shipping industry should be developed which can provide a safeness of the crew and ship, reduction of time for, monitor the loading and unloading, pass, efficient communication. They should conduct the evaluation of the impact of full automation of merchant vessel in the improvement of transporting of passenger and cargoes.