L'Applicazione degli obblighi sul soccorso in mare rispetto alla navigazione a guida autonoma

The growing use of the so-called Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) poses unprecedented international legal issues. The present paper analyses whether and how the fast-growing use of MASS impacts the international legal framework on assistance to people in distress at sea. To address this topic, the first pages briefly clarify the technical aspects concerning the design and the production of MASS. The paper continues by reconstructing the body of international rules on assistance at sea currently in force, particularly focusing on the pivotal role covered by the shipmaster. In light of these preliminary remarks, the remaining part of the script explores the issue concerning the applicability of these international rules with respect to the use of MASS. The attention will be turned first to “unmanned” ships, then to fully autonomous ships.