Questão 5

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).