Choose the correct option to complete the paragraph below. ...

Choose the correct option to complete the paragraph below.

Is an autonomous ship a 'ship' in the eyes of the law?

Different defmitions of 'ship' appear in different statutes and conventions, and it has often fallen to judges to decide if a floating object is, or is not, a 'ship'. ______________ , none of the defmitions of'ship' requires that the floating object be manned, generally simply requiring that it be used or be capable of being used in navigation. Whether this is by remote control or fully autonomous would not appear to be a problem in terms of the legal definition of a 'ship'. It appears probable,________________ , that autonomous ships are likely to fali within the legal definition of 'ship' and so will have to comply with the relevant laws and conventions ______________ the laws themselves might require some modification.

(Abridged from SEAWAYS -The International Journal o f the Nautical Inslitute. Dec/2017).