The electronic and informatics age - a new stage in developing highly effective ships

Perfection of ships in fleets all over the world is directly connected with development and introduction of the ship electronics and informatics. The authors make an attempt to answer to most actual questions arising by development of the ships computerized systems. How to find the optimal balance between the man and machine? For what conditions is it rational to replace man by machine? Rational consequences of automation stages are explained in the paper, beginning from the automated control of some ship equipment with a watch in a compartment and further to the future full automation and robotization of ship control. The wide range of accompanying problems have been analyzed. The correct and timely solution should be accompanied by development and introduction of the advanced electronic and informatics equipment into the marine technology