Abstract
This paper presents a method developed by the authors for semi-automatic communication between marine navigators through the use of ontologies as well as a novel approach to communication using mimo manet technology aiming at its automation. A model of the communication process is described, which includes concepts generated through an ontological path from sender to receiver, together with feedback. An interface in the form of an application used to display messages is presented. Due to the increasing trend of maritime accidents caused by human factors, real-life ship collision scenarios were analyzed for the application of the proposed solutions. So far, the research has been based on two vessels. What is new is communication with more than two ships, as well as the inclusion of shore stations such as the Vessel Traffic System or the pilots' station in conversation. For the purposes of the study, selected ship collision scenarios were evaluated in an ECDIS simulator. The process of message exchange in the communication system was analyzed using the developed models and their unambiguous understanding was checked. A novel approach to developing the communication process is the inclusion of mimo manet technology, the wider application of which may bring tangible benefits, especially in the coming era of autonomous ships.