ISO/TS 23860:2022

TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 23860
First edition
2022-05
Ships and marine technology —
Vocabulary related to autonomous
ship systems
Navires et technologie marine — Vocabulaire relatif aux systèmes de
navires autonomes
Reference number
ISO/TS 23860:2022(E)
© ISO 2022

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ISO/TS 23860:2022(E)
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ISO/TS 23860:2022(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 General terms . 1
3.2 Terms related to autonomous ship system components . 3
3.3 Terms related to operations . 4
3.4 Terms related to operator control modes . 5
Annex A (informative) The components and context of the autonomous ship system .6
Annex B (informative) Operational envelope and system control tasks .10
Bibliography .13
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ISO/TS 23860:2022(E)
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee Ships and marine technology, ISO/TC 8.
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ISO/TS 23860:2022(E)
Introduction
Highly automated ships, including fully uncrewed and/or autonomous ships, are part of complex
systems that have properties that are very different from conventional ships. This area is still
under development and will remain so for many years to come. This means that there is a need for
a harmonized and as consistent as possible vocabulary and related definitions for the concepts and
objects that are used in the research on, design of and the eventual use of highly automated ships. It is
the intention of this document to provide this. Recognizing that the area is developing, this document is
published as a technical specification rather than an international standard.
Clause 3 contains the definitions of the vocabulary and is divided into the following parts.
3.1, General terms: the main concepts related to autonomous ship systems.
3.2, Terms related to autonomous ship system components: defining the main components of the
autonomous ship system, including required off-ship support. Annex A gives a more extensive and
informal overview of these components as well as other entities that the autonomous ship system may
have to interact with. Note that the Remote Control Centre (RCC) is also part of the autonomous ship
system components, but is defined in 3.1.
3.3, Terms related to operations: this subclause contains vocabulary that can be used to describe aspects
of the ship's operational strategies, division of responsibilities between humans and automation, and
corresponding system designs requirements. Annex B gives a more extensive and informative overview
of some of these concepts.
3.4, Terms related to operator control modes: defining specific modes for operator control mode (3.3.2).
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/TS 23860:2022(E)
Ships and marine technology — Vocabulary related to
autonomous ship systems
1 Scope
This document defines terminology related to autonomous ship systems, which includes ships that can
be classified as a “Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship” (MASS) according to the preliminary definitions
from the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Autonomous ship system can also be applied to
similar ship types for use on inland waterways.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 General terms
3.1.1
automatic
process or equipment that, under specified conditions, can function without human control
Note 1 to entry: See Annex B.1 for an explanation of the difference between automation (3.1.2) and autonomy
(3.1.3).
[4]
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-351 , modified – “can function” instead of “functions”, added Note 1 to entry]
3.1.2
automation
implementation of processes by automatic means
[3]
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 11065 ]
3.1.3
autonomy
processes or equipment in a ship system which, under certain conditions, are designed and verified to
be controlled by automation, without human assistance
Note 1 to entry: Autonomy is implemented by automation but emerges when automation is designed and verified
to allow operation without human assistance.
Note 2 to entry: This definition qualifies autonomy by giving it a temporal (the period when conditions are
satisfied) and a process (one or more processes or equipment) dimension. The term “autonomy” on its own
should be avoided unless sufficiently qualified with respect to what processes, period, or conditions it refers to.
Note 3 to entry: See Annex B.1 for an explanation of the difference between automation (3.1.2) and autonomy
(3.1.3).
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ISO/TS 23860:2022(E)
3.1.4
autonomous
possessing the property of autonomy
Note 1 to entry: Except when used in a general sense, e.g. autonomous ship system (3.1.5), the term “autonomous”
on its own should be avoided [refer also to Note 2 of autonomy (3.1.3)].
3.1.5
autonomous ship system
elements that interact to ensure effective functioning of the autonomous and non-autonomous
processes and equipment that are necessary to perform the ship's operation or voyage
Note 1 to entry: The autonomous ship can depend on systems not located on the ship, e.g. communication systems,
shore and port infrastructure, remote control centres etc.
Note 2 to entry: The autonomous ship system refers to a full system, including the ship. If the reference is made to
the ship itself, the term “autonomous ship” or just “ship” can be used.
3.1.6
control
purposeful action on or in a process to meet specified objectives
[4]
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-351 ]
Note 1 to entry: The term control does not preclude that the action is only to monitor the process, e.g. to raise an
alarm or to request intervention. Control can be exercised by a human or by automation.
3.1.7
process
set of interrelated or interacting activities that transforms inputs into outputs
[1]
[SOURCE: ISO 9000 ]
Note 1 to entry: Processes onboard a ship can correspond to function as defined in the International Convention
[8]
on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) . Function means a group of tasks, duties
and responsibilities, as specified in STCW, necessary for ship operation, safety of life at sea or protection of the
marine environment.
3.1.8
remote control centre
site remote from the ship that can control some or all of the autonomous ship system processes
Note 1 to entry: A remote control centre may consist of more than one control room or stations that may be
[2]
located at different physical locations. See ISO 11064-3 for a more extensive set of terminology for control
rooms and centres.
Note 2 to entry: The terms shore control centre and remote operations centre are sometimes used to refer to
remote control centres.
Note 3 to entry: When the abbreviated form of the term Remote Control Centre is used, i.e. RCC, one should be
careful to avoid confusion with a Rescue Coordination Centre.
3.1.9
uncrewed
ship with no crew onboard
Note 1 to entry: Crew does not include passengers, special personnel etc.
3.1.10
unmanned
ship with no humans onboard
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ISO/TS 23860:2022(E)
3.2 Terms related to autonomous ship system components
3.2.1
automatic facilities services
collection of automatic offshore services and automatic port services
3.2.2
automatic offshore services
fully or partly automatic services provided from an offshore facility or in the autonomous ship's
operational area outside the port, that are defined as part of the autonomous ship system, but that are
not located on the ship
Note 1 to entry: Automatic offshore services do not include local sensor systems or planned response services.
3.2.3
automatic port services
fully or partly automatic services provided in a port area, that are defined as part of the autonomous
ship system, but that are not located on the ship
Note 1 to entry: Automatic port services do not include local sensor systems or planned response services.
3.2.4
autonomous onboard controller
automation onboard the ship that is used to control one or more of a ship system's processes or
equipment, under certain conditions, without human assistance
3.2.5
autonomous remote controller
automation in the remote-control centre that is used to control one or more of a ship system's processes
or equipment, under certain conditions, without human assistance
3.2.6
connectivity
network facilities to maintain communication between the ship and other parts of the autonomous ship
system
3.2.7
local sensor systems
environment sensors and data processing systems located in the ship's local operating area, but off the
ship, that provide additional data and/or information to the autonomous ship system's environment
assessment functions
Note 1 to entry: This can be used, for example, to remove radar shadows, improve positioning accuracy and
otherwise assist in complex operations, such as in high density traffic or during berthing.
3.2.8
planned response services
services provided by organizations with facilities not located onboard the ship, to assist in situations
where the onboard systems are unable to handle the situation alone
Note 1 to entry: This may include, for example, towage in case of critical sub-system failure on board or
evacuation services for passengers on an uncrewed ship.
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ISO/TS 23860:2022(E)
3.3 Terms related to operations
3.3.1
tolerable event
technical or operational event for which there is a designed response that keeps the system within
its operational envelope
Note 1 to entry: A tolerable event includes events that are part of routine operations as well as events that are not
considered part of normal operation but occur in practice as a result of different operational contexts (e.g. heavy
weather, damage, failures, reduced communications capabilities, operator errors, etc.).
3.3.2
operator control mode
working mode, sometimes supported by technology or procedures, that represents the expected class
of actions performed by the crew or remote-control centre operators
Note 1 to entry: Modes can be changed during a voyage or operation and/or for specific functions.
Note 2 to entry: 3.4 defines four operator control modes.
3.3.3
fallback state
designed state that can be entered through a fallback function when it is not possible for the autonomous
ship system to stay within the operational envelope
Note 1 to entry: Being in a fallback state should not result in an intolerable risk (frequency and severity of any
consequence).
3.3.4
fallback function
means to reach a fallback state (3.3.3)
3.3.5
fallback space
set of all fallback states (3.3.3)
3.3.6
operational envelope
conditions and related operator control modes under which an autonomous ship system is designed to
operate, including all tolerable events
Note 1 to entry: The operational envelope should cover at least all relevant voyage or operation phases as well as
all relevant autonomous ship system processes. The conditions should include geographic or fairway conditions,
environmental conditions, own ship conditions, traffic conditions, division of responsibility between human and
automatic control, as well as any other factors that have a significant impact on the operation of the autonomous
ship system.
Note 2 to entry: The operational envelope (OE) is inspired by the operational design domain (ODD) as defined in
[5]
SAE J3016 . However, as the OE also includes operations under human control, and as the relationship between
OE and fallbacks are somewhat different than for the ODD, it has been decided to not use the name ODD and
rather call this operational envelope. See B.3 for further details.
3.3.7
system control tasks
process control tasks, implemented by automation and/or humans, that are required to sustainably
operate the autonomous ship system within its operational envelope
Note 1 to entry: A process control task is the control task or function related to a specific process. The task or
function can be automatic or performed by a human.
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ISO/TS 23860:2022(E)
3.4 Terms related to operator control modes
3.4.1
monitoring
operations which monitor a situation but do not take any action to influence necessary processes
Note 1 to entry: In monitoring mode, operators may adjust non-necessary processes or equipment to facilitate
gathering of information. Monitoring can, for example, be to adjust a system for exclusively human use, such as
external lights or cameras, or to inspect equipment or trends in performance parameters.
3.4.2
strategic control
operations to issue fleet-wide instructions that implement and, if appropriate, define specific functions
to be used by the automatic decision-making units
Note 1 to entry: Strategic control corresponds to a Master's standing orders on a conventional ship.
3.4.3
tactical control
operations to influence the conclusion made by the automatic decision-making units of the autonomous
ship for a particular purpose
Note 1 to entry: Tactical control includes, for example, changing the required minimum closest point of approach
to other ships or the port of destination and letting the autonomous ship system afterwards construct the
avoidance manoeuvre or route itself. It can also be adjustment of a technical alert level, based on prevailing
conditions, for example, the time delay in actuation of the bilge alarm.
3.4.4
direct control
operations to contro
...