Implications and Recommendations

10.1 Concept of operations (ConOps) for the Florø control centre

Given the staged implementation (operation in 2026, auto-crossing/auto-docking in 2027, extended autonomy in 2028), a phased ConOps is appropriate:

• Phase 0 — Commissioning and monitoring (2026): RCC primarily monitors ferries and charging systems; all navigation remains under on-board command.
• Phase 1 — Assisted operations (2027): Auto-crossing and auto-docking engaged under supervision of on-board masters; RCC monitors autonomy performance.
• Phase 2 — Supervised autonomy (2028+): Autonomy handles the full sailing cycle under RCC supervision, with reduced on-board manning where permitted.

Role structure should include: RCC Watch Officer (Navigation), RCC Systems Engineer (Engineering/IT/Automation), and RCC Supervisor (Command).

10.2 Safety and risk management

Fjord1 should develop a combined safety case for battery and power system hazards, autonomy hazards, and RCC hazards. Applying FSA for propulsion, STPA for autonomy and RCC, and cross-linking them in a system-of-systems hazard analysis would align with DNV and IMO expectations.

10.3 Organisational and workforce strategy

Fjord1 should create pathways for experienced masters to rotate into RCC roles and use cross-functional working groups to define RCC procedures, alarm philosophies and takeover rules.

10.4 Research agenda

Key research topics:

• Operator-autonomy teaming in high-frequency ferry operations
• Quantifying safe RCC operator load for multi-ferry operation
• Integration of battery health models into operational decision support
• Scenario-based validation of COLREGs engines against real decision patterns