Legal Status of the Remote Operator in Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Under Maritime Law

This study proposes a legal framework for the successful operation of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS). It discusses the legal status of a remote operator of MASS, and the possibility of granting them status as a ship employee or master. This research argues that the status of seafarer or deemed seafarer should be required for R-level MASS, and the status of master or deemed master with the right to command in matters relating to ship operation be conferred for RU- and A-level MASS. The study presents an expanded notion of seafarers by extending the combination of ship and human elements-concerning seafarers in existing international maritime conventions-to deem remote operators of MASS ship employees. Further, it suggested that remote operators be regarded as a human element by perpetuating the notion of the master, retaining their status as the final entity of responsibility for the ship, even if the cutting-edge information and communication technology (ICT)-based commercialization of MASS is realized.