FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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The present invention relates to the field of ships and other waterborne vessels, and more particularly to a safe return to port system for a ship.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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There are many kinds of ships, such as e.g. naval ships, cargo ships and passenger ships. Naval ships are military ships that are used by a navy. Cargo ships are merchant ships that carry cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Passenger ships are used to carry passengers. Passenger ships include many classes of ships which are designed to transport substantial numbers of passengers as well as freight. Typically, passenger ships can transport mail, package freight and express, and other cargo in addition to passenger luggage, and were equipped with cargo holds and derricks, kingposts, or other cargo-handling gear for that purpose. Modern passenger ships, such as cruise ferries have car decks for lorries as well as the passengers' cars.
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International Maritime Organization, IMO, was established in 1948 to bring the regulation of the safety of shipping into an international framework. The IMO's primary purpose of IMO has been to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping this including maritime safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security and the efficiency of shipping.
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The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS, is an international maritime treaty which sets out minimum safety standards in the construction, equipment and operation of merchant ships. The International Maritime Organization convention requires signatory flag states to ensure that ships flagged by them comply with at least these standards.
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The Safe Return to Port regulations are intended to provide passenger vessels with enough robustness and redundancy to act as their own lifeboat in case of an on-board incident involving fire or flooding. The Safe Return to Port (SRTP) regulations from IMO and SOLAS, mandatory for new ships since July 2010, are another step towards making passenger ships safer.
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The Safe Return to Port regulations require additional capabilities for passenger vessels. E.g. in case of a fire damage, the ship must be capable of returning to port while providing "a safe area". To be deemed capable of returning to port, there are some systems which shall remain operational in the remaining part of the ship not affected by fire. In this context the safe area of a casualty is defined as, from the perspective of habitability, any area(s) which is not flooded or which is outside the main vertical zone(s) in which a fire has occurred such that it can safely accommodate all persons onboard to protect them from hazards to life or health and provide them with basic services.
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In case of a fire damage, the following systems of the passenger ship shall remain operational: ship propulsion; ship steering systems and steering-control systems; navigational systems; systems for fill, transfer and service of fuel oil; internal communication between the bridge, engineering spaces, safety centre, fire-fighting and damage control teams, and as required for passenger and crew notification and mustering; external communication; fire main system; fixed fire-extinguishing systems; fire and smoke detection system; bilge and ballast system; power-operated watertight and semi-watertight doors; systems intended to support "safe areas"; flooding detection systems; and other systems vital to damage control efforts.
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Many of the above mentioned functions are normally controlled from a command bridge, also referred to as a command deck, a pilothouse, or a wheelhouse. In order to fulfil the Safe Return to Port regulations, typically additional control room or control facility, i.e. a secondary wheelhouse, is built into different fire zone of the passenger ship. This additional control facility is designed to be used in case the normal command bridge cannot be used, for example if the normal command bridge is destroyed, polluted or contaminated by virus.
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In the current ships an additional control room is typically equipped with a minimum amount of monitoring and control instruments. Visibility outside vessel is not appropriate or that does not even exist. This additional control room is typically regarded as waste of space and waste of money.
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There is a demand in the market for an efficient solution which would be safe and efficient would provide a ship a safe return to port in case of a fire, virus infection or a pirate attack.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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The object of the invention is to introduce a safe return to port system for a ship, which would provide a safe and efficient solution and would provide a ship with a safe return to port in case of a fire, virus infection or a pirate attack. Advantageous embodiments are furthermore presented.
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It is brought forward a new safe return to port system for a ship having a command bridge, an engine control room arranged in a fire zone different from the fire zone of said command bridge, and means for activating a safe return to port operation mode, wherein said safe return to port system comprises: maneuvering control equipment configured for steering the ship; navigational control equipment configured for navigating the ship; one or more display screens configured to display image/video data; and a safe return to port command control and communications system configured for command control and for control of operative communications of the ship during a safe return to port operation mode, wherein said safe return to port command control and communications system comprises means for taking over from the command bridge the command control and the control of operative communications, steering, navigation, communications and/or other operative functions of the ship upon activation of the safe return to port operation mode.
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In a preferred embodiment, said maneuvering control equipment, said navigational control equipment, said one or more display screens, and at least part of said safe return to port command control and communications system are located in the engine control room, wherein the safe return to port system comprises means for selecting to present in said one or more display screens thruster maneuvering data, navigational data and/or other safe return to port data instead of engine control data when the safe return to port operation mode is activated.
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In a preferred embodiment, the safe return to port system comprises at least one secondary display screen, augmented reality glasses and/or virtual reality glasses for presenting the engine control data when the safe return to port operation mode is activated.
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In a preferred embodiment, the maneuvering control equipment and/or navigational control equipment comprises multi-use levers.
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In a preferred embodiment, the safe return to port system is configured to receive measurement data and/or image data from measurement sensors and/or video cameras arranged in different areas of the ship.
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In a preferred embodiment, the safe return to port system is configured to present in said one or more display screens the image of received image data, said image comprising at least one water surface and/or at least one labelled water surface.
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In a preferred embodiment, the safe return to port system is configured to present in said one or more display screens object information of at least one object except from land being in the water and extending from the water surface.
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In a preferred embodiment, the safe return to port system comprises an integrated distance detection system configured to present in said one or more display screens a real time presentation of landing distances.
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In a preferred embodiment, the information presented in said one or more display screens comprises image of image data analyzed by an artificial intelligence trained for detecting and localizing objects from images.
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In a preferred embodiment, the safe return to port system comprises means for selecting between different alternatives and/modes of presentation.
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In a preferred embodiment, said safe return to port command control and communications system is configured to establish/provide communications between the engine control room and communication stations arranged in different areas of the ship.
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In a preferred embodiment, said safe return to port command control and communications system is configured to control locking and unlocking of doors in different areas of the ship.
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In a preferred embodiment, said safe return to port system comprises means for handing over from the command bridge to the safe return to port command control and communications system the command control and the control of operative communications, steering, navigation, communications and/or other operative functions of the ship upon activation of the safe return to port operation.
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In a preferred embodiment, said safe return to port system comprises means for handing over to a remote command control and communications system arranged in a port the command control and the control of operative communications, steering, navigation, communications and/or other operative functions of the ship from the command bridge or from the safe return to port command control and communications system in said ship upon activation of the safe return to port operation.
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It is brought forward a new ship having a command bridge, an engine control room arranged in a fire zone different from the fire zone of said command bridge, a safe return to port system, and means for activating a safe return to port operation mode, wherein said safe return to port system comprises: maneuvering control equipment configured for steering the ship; navigational control equipment configured for navigating the ship; one or more display screens configured to display image/video data; and a safe return to port command control and communications system configured for command control and for control of operative communications of the ship during a safe return to port operation mode, wherein said safe return to port command control and communications system comprises means for taking over from the command bridge the command control and the control of operative communications, steering, navigation, communications and/or other operative functions of the ship upon activation of the safe return to port operation mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 shows an exemplary illustration of one embodiment of a command bridge of a ship.
- Figure 2 shows an exemplary illustration of one embodiment of a ship.
- Figure 3 shows an exemplary illustration of one embodiment of an engine control room of a ship in a normal operation mode.
- Figure 4 shows an exemplary illustration of one embodiment of an engine control room of a ship when the safe return to port operation mode has been activated.
- Figure 5 shows an exemplary illustration of another embodiment of an engine control room of a ship when the safe return to port operation mode has been activated.
- Figure 6 shows an exemplary illustration of a third embodiment of an engine control room of a ship when the safe return to port operation mode has been activated.
- Figure 7 shows an exemplary illustration of a ship with a safe return to port system.
- Figure 8 shows an exemplary illustration of a ship with a safe return to port system upon return to port.
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The foregoing aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and the detailed description related thereto.
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In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings of Figures 1 to 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the description may refer to "an", "one", or "some" embodiment(s) in several locations, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment, for example. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Generally, all terms and expressions used should be interpreted broadly and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, the embodiments. The figures only show components necessary for understanding the various embodiments. The number and/or shape of the various elements, and generally their implementation, could vary from the examples shown in the figures. The application of the various embodiments described herein is not limited to any specific system, but it can be used in connection with various applications where the safe return to port operation system is to be implemented in a ship.
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When referring to a "ship", in this application it is meant to comprise any kind of ships designed to transport substantial numbers of passengers as well as freight, this including naval ships, cargo ships, cruise ferries and passenger ships that can transport passengers' cars, lorries, mail, package freight and express, and other cargo in addition to passenger luggage.
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When referring to a "command bridge", in this application it is meant to comprise any kind of command bridge, a command deck, a pilothouse, or wheelhouse, which is primarily used for controlling, steering and navigating the ship.
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When referring to a "engine control room", in this application it is meant to comprise any control room in a ship, which is primarily used for controlling the engines of the ship.
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When referring to a "safe return to port system", in this application it is meant to comprise any safe return to port system designed to meet the mandatory Safe Return to Port (SRTP) regulations from IMO and SOLAS.
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When referring to a "maneuvering control equipment", in this application it is meant to comprise any kind of steering and control equipment used for steering and controlling the movements of a ship, this including e.g. multi-use levers and other control equipment used in controlling thrusters, rudder and other steering devices.
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When referring to a "safe return to port command control and communications system", in this application it is meant to comprise any kind of control, command and communications system used together with a safe return to port system and designed to help in controlling, steering and navigating the ship.
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Figure 1 shows an exemplary illustration of one embodiment of a command bridge of a ship. The presented embodiment of a command bridge comprises several wall windows 21-24 and several ceiling windows 26-29 providing a clear view of the surrounding water and of the surrounding sky. In figure 1 the water surface is marked with a reference number 20, the horizon is marked with a reference number 25, and the sky is marked with a reference number 30.
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The presented embodiment of a command bridge comprises at least one control desk 31 comprising a control equipment 32-36 and one or more display screens 37-40 arranged on said at least one control desk 31 as well as one or more display screens 41-44 arranged on the walls or on the ceiling of said command bridge. Said control equipment 32-36 may comprise one or more multiuse levers 32-34, one or more keyboards 35 and one or more touch pads 36. In the presented embodiment said control equipment 32-36 and said one or more display screens 37-44 of said command bridge can be used as maneuvering control equipment configured for steering and steering-control of the ship. Furthermore, in the presented embodiment said control equipment 32-36 and said one or more display screens 37-44 of said command bridge can be used as navigational control equipment configured for navigating the ship.
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The presented embodiment of a command bridge also comprises command control and communications system configured for command control and for control of operative communications of the ship. The command control and communications system may be used in internal communication between the bridge, engineering spaces, safety centre, firefighting and damage control teams, and as required for and crew notification and mustering.
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The command control and communications system may be used in transferring and servicing of fuel oil and in external communication. The command control and communications system may be used in controlling fire main system, in controlling fixed fire-extinguishing systems, in controlling fire and smoke detection system and in controlling bilge and ballast system. The command control and communications system may be used in controlling power-operated watertight and semi-watertight doors, in controlling systems intended to support "safe areas", in controlling flooding detection systems and in controlling other systems vital to damage control efforts.
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When referring to a "display screen", in this application it is meant to comprise any display screen used together with a computer device, any display screen arranged in a room, including LED displays, projected displays and any other display devices.
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Figure 2 shows an exemplary illustration of one embodiment of a ship. The presented embodiment of a ship 1 comprises a command bridge 2 on the top front of the ship. The presented embodiment of a ship 1 also comprises an engine control room 3 within the ship 1, said engine control room 3 being arranged in a fire zone different from the fire zone of said command bridge 2. Whereas the position of the engine control room 3 within the ship 1 in Figure 2 is only exemplary, the position of the engine control room 3 can be arranged anywhere within the ship 1, this including the font, middle, rear of the ship 1, as well as top, middle and bottom of the ship 1, as long as said engine control room 3 is arranged in a fire zone different from the fire zone of said command bridge 2. The position of the engine control room 3 can even be arranged below the waterline within the ship 1.
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In said embodiment of a ship the engine control room 3 is arranged as a safe area in case of a fire damage or in case of a pirate attack. Said embodiment of a ship comprises a safe return to port system. In the presented embodiment of a ship 1 said safe return to port system is arranged in the engine control room 3.
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In the presented embodiment of a ship 1 said safe return to port system comprises maneuvering control equipment configured for steering the ship 1, navigational control equipment configured for navigating the ship 1, one or more display screens configured to display image/video data, and a safe return to port command control and communications system configured for command control and for control of operative communications of the ship 1 during a safe return to port operation mode.
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Figure 3 shows an exemplary illustration of one embodiment of an engine control room of a ship in a normal operation mode. The presented embodiment of an engine control room comprises at least one control desk 51 comprising a control equipment 52-56 and one or more display screens 57-60 arranged on said at least one control desk 51. presented embodiment of an engine control room comprises as well as one or more display screens 61-64 arranged on the walls of said engine control room. Said control equipment 52-56 may comprise one or more multiuse levers 52-54, one or more keyboards 55 and one or more touch pads 56. In a normal operation mode said one or more display screens 57-64 of said engine control room are displaying images and data related to engine control of the ship.
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Said embodiment of a ship comprises a safe return to port system. In the presented embodiment of a ship 1 said safe return to port system is arranged in the engine control room 3. Upon activation of the safe return to port operation mode control equipment 52-56 and said one or more display screens 57-64 of said engine control room can be used for providing a safe return to port system. The means for activating a safe return to port operation mode may be arranged in the command bridge 2 and/or in the engine control room 3.
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Figure 4 shows an exemplary illustration of one embodiment of an engine control room of a ship when the safe return to port operation mode has been activated. The presented embodiment of an engine control room comprises at least one control desk 51 comprising a control equipment 52-56 and one or more display screens 57-60 arranged on said at least one control desk 51. The presented embodiment of an engine control room also comprises one or more display screens 61-64 arranged on the walls of said engine control room. Said control equipment 52-56 may comprise one or more multiuse levers 52-54, one or more keyboards 55 and one or more touch pads 56. In a safe return to port operation mode said one or more display screens 57-64 of said engine control room are displaying images and data related to a safe return to port.
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In the presented embodiment the maneuvering control equipment of said safe return to port system, the navigational control equipment of said safe return to port system, the one or more display screens of said safe return to port system, and at least part of the safe return to port command control and communications system of said safe return to port system are located in the engine control room.
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Furthermore, the communications system of said safe return to port system comprises, in the engine control room, means for taking over from the command bridge the command control and the control of operative communications, steering, navigation, communications and/or other operative functions of the ship upon activation of the safe return to port operation mode.
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In the presented embodiment, the safe return to port system is configured to receive measurement data and/or image data from measurement sensors and/or video cameras arranged in different areas of the ship. In the presented embodiment said one or more display screens 61-64 arranged on the walls of said engine control room are configured to receive image data from video cameras arranged in different locations of the ship, the image of said received image data comprising at least one water surface presenting at least part of the water surface surrounding the ship 1. The water surface 71 in the image presented in said one or more display screens 61-64 is marked with a reference number 71.
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In the presented embodiment, and when the safe return to port operation mode has been activated said control equipment 52-56 and said one or more display screens 57-64 of said engine control room can be used as maneuvering control equipment configured for steering and steering-control of the ship. Furthermore, in the presented embodiment said control equipment 52-56 and said one or more display screens 57-64 of said command bridge can be used as navigational control equipment configured for navigating the ship.
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Furthermore, the safe return to port system comprises, in the engine control room, means for selecting to present in said one or more display screens thruster maneuvering data, navigational data and/or other safe return to port data instead of engine control data when the safe return to port operation mode is activated. Furthermore, the safe return to port system may also comprise, in the engine control room, at least one secondary display screen, augmented reality glasses and/or virtual reality glasses for presenting the engine control data when the safe return to port operation mode is activated. The means for activating a safe return to port operation mode may be arranged in the command bridge 2 and/or in the engine control room 3.
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Figure 5 shows an exemplary illustration of another embodiment of an engine control room of a ship when the safe return to port operation mode has been activated. The presented another embodiment of an engine control room comprises at least one control desk 51 comprising a control equipment 52-56 and one or more display screens 57-64 arranged on said at least one control desk 51 or on the walls of said engine control room. In a safe return to port operation mode said one or more display screens 57-64 of said engine control room are displaying images and data related to a safe return to port.
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In the presented another embodiment the maneuvering control equipment of said safe return to port system, the navigational control equipment of said safe return to port system, the one or more display screens of said safe return to port system, and at least part of the safe return to port command control and communications system of said safe return to port system are located in the engine control room. Furthermore, the communications system of said safe return to port system comprises, in the engine control room, means for taking over from the command bridge the command control and the control of operative communications, steering, navigation, communications and/or other operative functions of the ship upon activation of the safe return to port operation mode.
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In the presented another embodiment, the safe return to port system is configured to receive measurement data and/or image data from measurement sensors and/or video cameras arranged in different areas of the ship. In the presented another embodiment, the measurement sensors comprise a lidar sensor and/or a radar sensor. The lidar sensor and/or radar sensor enable to detect the water surface extension data, that is to detect the land surrounding the water surface, thereby the border between the land and the water surface, and thereby the border of the water surface. In the presented another embodiment, the safe return to port system is configured to match the water surface extension data to the image and label the water surface in the image.
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That the water surface is labelled in the image may mean that the area over which the water surface extends in the image is marked within the image. For example, a boundary or border of the water surface may be drawn around the water surface and/or the whole water surface may be marked by a given colour. In particular, the image data may be modified by the labelling such that the water surface would be highlighted within the image by the border, e.g., the boundary, or the marked water surface when the labelled image is shown on a display.
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In the presented another embodiment said one or more display screens 61-64 arranged on the walls of said engine control room are configured to receive image data from video cameras arranged in different locations of the ship, the image of said received image data comprising at least one labelled water surface presenting at least part of the water surface surrounding the ship 1. The labelled water surface 72 in the image presented in said one or more display screens 61-64 is marked with a reference number 72.
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In the presented another embodiment, and when the safe return to port operation mode has been activated said control equipment 52-56 and said one or more display screens 57-64 of said engine control room can be used as maneuvering control equipment configured for steering and steering-control of the ship. Furthermore, in the presented another embodiment said control equipment 52-56 and said one or more display screens 57-64 of said command bridge can be used as navigational control equipment configured for navigating the ship. Furthermore, the safe return to port system may also comprise means for selecting between different alternatives and/modes of presentation.
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Figure 6 shows an exemplary illustration of a third embodiment of an engine control room of a ship when the safe return to port operation mode has been activated. The presented third embodiment of an engine control room comprises at least one control desk 51 comprising a control equipment 52-56 and one or more display screens 57-64 arranged on said at least one control desk 51 or on the walls of said engine control room. In a safe return to port operation mode said one or more display screens 57-64 of said engine control room are displaying images and data related to a safe return to port.
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In the presented third embodiment the maneuvering control equipment of said safe return to port system, the navigational control equipment of said safe return to port system, the one or more display screens 57-64 of said safe return to port system, and at least part of the safe return to port command control and communications system of said safe return to port system are located in the engine control room. Furthermore, the communications system of said safe return to port system comprises, in the engine control room, means for taking over from the command bridge the command control and the control of operative communications, steering, navigation, communications and/or other operative functions of the ship upon activation of the safe return to port operation mode.
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In the presented third embodiment, the safe return to port system is configured to receive measurement data and/or image data from measurement sensors and/or video cameras arranged in different areas of the ship. In the presented third embodiment, the measurement sensors comprise a lidar sensor and/or a radar sensor. The lidar sensor and/or radar sensor enable to detect the water surface extension data, that is to detect the land surrounding the water surface, thereby the border between the land and the water surface, and thereby the border of the water surface. In the presented third embodiment, the safe return to port system is configured to match the water surface extension data to the image and label the water surface in the image.
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In the presented third embodiment, the safe return to port system is configured to receive from measurement sensors and/or video cameras measurement data and/or image data comprising object information regarding at least one object except from land being in the water and extending from the water surface. Furthermore, the safe return to port system is configured to determine an object area within the image depending on the object information, to determine the object area being covered by the object, to label the water surface except from the object area, and to present in said one or more display screens 57-64 object information of at least one detected object except from land being in the water and extending from the water surface.
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In the presented third embodiment, the detected object may be another vessel or any other object extending from the water, e.g. a container, a person, a buoy, etc. The object information may be received from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) or may be generated by an object detection algorithm analysing the image.
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In the presented third embodiment said one or more display screens 61-64 arranged on the walls of said engine control room are configured to receive image data from video cameras arranged in different locations of the ship, the image of said received image data comprising at least one labelled water surface presenting at least part of the water surface surrounding the ship 1. In Figure 6, the labelled water surface 72 in the image presented in said one or more display screens 61-64 is marked with a reference number 72. Furthermore, a rock 73 extending from the water is marked with a reference number 73 and a vessel 74 swimming in the water is marked with a reference number 74.
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In the presented third embodiment, and when the safe return to port operation mode has been activated said control equipment 52-56 and said one or more display screens 57-64 of said engine control room can be used as maneuvering control equipment configured for steering and steering-control of the ship. Furthermore, in the presented third embodiment said control equipment 52-56 and said one or more display screens 57-64 of said command bridge can be used as navigational control equipment configured for navigating the ship. Furthermore, the safe return to port system may also comprise means for selecting between different alternatives and/modes of presentation.
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Figure 7 shows an exemplary illustration of a ship with a safe return to port system. Said ship 1 is divided to multiple fire zones 81-84. Different fire zones 81-84 are separated from each other with fire-proof doors. Furthermore, there are several other fireproof or non-fireproof doors separating the passage between different parts of the ship. In the presented embodiment, said safe return to port command control and communications system is configured to establish/provide communications between the engine control room and communication stations arranged in different areas of the ship.
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When needed, or especially in case of a fire damage or in case of a pirate attack, there is a need to isolate parts of the ship 1 from other parts of the ship 1. Said embodiment of a ship comprises a safe return to port system, wherein the safe return to port command control and communications system of the a safe return to port system is configured to and able to control locking and unlocking of doors in different areas of the ship.
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Figure 8 shows an exemplary illustration of a ship with a safe return to port system upon return to port. In the presented embodiment, the safe return to port system comprises an integrated distance detection system configured to present in said one or more display screens a real time presentation of landing distances. The integrated distance detection system comprises a landing distance functionality configured to detect landing distances to multiple directions. In Figure 8 the landing distances of a ship upon return to port are shown in straight head-on (0°) direction and in directions of different angles (300°, 320°, 340°, 20°, 40°) deviating from the straight head-on direction. In an embodiment, the presented information may comprise image of image data analyzed by an artificial intelligence trained for detecting and localizing objects from images.
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The integrated distance detection system may also comprise an object detection functionality, able to detect all instances of objects from one or more classes of different types of vessels and marine objects, said classes including but are not limited to engine powered sailing vessels, non-engine powered sailing vessels, passenger vessels, and cargo vessels.
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The integrated distance detection system may also comprise a semantic segmentation functionality. Semantic segmentation functionality enables the assigning of a class label for each pixel in the image. Semantic segmentation functionality allows the differentiation between pixels that belong to the following classes: vessel, water or land. Segmentation of water is used to estimate the landing distance, while joint segmentation of vessels and water is used in combination with object detection for vessel-water interface localization.
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In an embodiment, the said safe return to port system comprises means for handing over from the command bridge to the safe return to port command control and communications system the command control and the control of operative communications, steering, navigation, communications and/or other operative functions of the ship upon activation of the safe return to port operation. Said means for handing over may be configured to perform the handing over upon an instruction from the command bridge. Said means for handing over may be configured to perform the handing over upon a request from the safe return to port command control and communications system in said ship. Furthermore, said means for handing over may be configured to allow the handing over when certain conditions are fulfilled.
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In an embodiment, the said safe return to port system comprises means for handing over to a remote command control and communications system arranged in a port the command control and the control of operative communications, steering, navigation, communications and/or other operative functions of the ship from the command bridge or from the safe return to port command control and communications system in said ship upon activation of the safe return to port operation. Said means for handing over may be configured to perform the handing over upon an instruction from the command bridge or from the safe return to port command control and communications system in said ship. Said means for handing over may be configured to perform the handing over upon a request from the remote command control and communications system arranged in a port. Furthermore, said means for handing over may be configured to allow the handing over when certain conditions are fulfilled.
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With the help of the present invention a safe return to port system is provided for a ship without building an additional separate safe return to port room in the ship. Whereas the control bridge is typically the primary target for a pirate attack, the engine control room provides a safe location for a safe return to port system in a ship.
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With the help of the present invention a safe return to port system is provided for a ship, which achieves a safe and efficient solution and helps to provide a ship with a safe return to port in case of a fire, virus infection or a pirate attack.
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It is to be understood that the above description and the accompanying Figures are only intended to teach the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The above-described embodiments of the invention may thus be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.