APPLICATION OF FUZZY THEORY IN SHIP'S COLLISION AVOIDANCE OPERATION

General collision avoidance methods are stipulated by regulations but detailed and final collision avoidance actions are heavily dependent on the captain's judgement based on experience. The automation or mechanisation of these actions is regarded as a difficult problem. The authors have applied Fuzzy Theory to ship collision avoidance operation as part of the project called Research and Development of a Highly Automated Ship Navigation System. The intention is to mimic the "fuzziness" inherent in human thinking as a process to implement in the automatic operation of collision avoidance actions. The authors' cite computer simulations as confirmation of availability of smooth automatic collision avoidance operations based on Fuzzy Theory and equipment will be developed soon as a support system for the crew.