Autonomous shipping is set to revolutionize work in the maritime industry not by replacing humans on board vessels but by augmenting their cognitive capabilities to enhance the ship operators’ potential. As an example, the challenges are considered
faced by the officer of the watch, who is responsible for ensuring a safe navigation of the vessel whilst keeping a watch on the bridge. Not only must she or he contend with working shifts and periods of fatigue and boredom, but also with spells on the bridge during which the outlook is impaired by darkness, fog or challenging weather.