[QUOTE=LI_Domer;181072]My biggest concern is what about other vessels in distress. It would be pretty sad if someone in a life raft was surrounded by automated ship’s and there was no way to actually pick them up. Just like airplanes, I think there will always be a need to have someone looking out the window and looking at the dials just in case.[/QUOTE]
When all ships are autonomous there will not be a need to pick up people in distress. Until then there will still be SAR vessels and helicopters to do so. There will still be manned vessels around for the foreseeable future however.