The law governing autonomous undersea vehicles: what an operator needs to know

AUVs are the cutting edge of technology used to explore the world's oceans. Unlike tethered and remotely operated vehicles which are a simple extension of the research vessel, AUVs are, and legally should be, considered separate entities. The AUVs autonomous nature, however, creates a regulatory gap. In general, the international treaties and domestic law governing marine activities apply only to vessels. In fact, the use of AUVs is virtually unregulated by the federal government, mostly due to a combination of the newness of the technology, difficulties with classification, and the unwillingness of overburdened federal agencies to incur additional responsibilities. As more institutions and businesses gain access to AUV technology, there is a greater need for legal education and outreach. Operators need to know what laws apply to their operations and how to deal with gray areas. This paper will examine the application of international and U.S. maritime law to AUVs, with special attention paid to the COLREGs. The lighting and signaling requirements for different types of vessels will be addressed, as well as the penalties for violations. This paper will also briefly discuss several other topics of interest to the AUV community, including vessel collision, liability, and salvage.