IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF NAVIGATION IN REDUCED VISIBILITY USING AUGMENTED REALITY DURING NARROW-CHANNEL MANEUVERING IN THE PORT OF VARNA AREA

Abstract

Abstract. Navigation in restricted visibility (fog, snow, heavy rain) in the Port of Varna area (sea–lake) is a serious challenge that can lead to catastrophic consequences. Fog reduced visibility, which often forms solely over the water surface and descends rapidly over the port basin or canal system within ten minutes, drastically decreases visibility. Accurate forecasting of this phenomenon is of critical importance, since a short maneuver takes about 30 minutes, while a maneuver involving the turning of a large vessel can take up to four hours. Weather element forecasting must be localized with high spatial resolution of 2–3 km and with a 2–3-hour lead time, achievable through Nowcasting Forecast methods. Solving the issue of navigation safety in restricted visibility will increase the economic efficiency of maneuvers. This can be achieved through a highly accurate mobile device, independent of ship systems, developed based on the “Blind Passage” concept, including a digital twin that meets navigation safety requirements in narrow areas and canals during restricted visibility, increasing the economic efficiency of shipping under such meteorological conditions in specific geographic regions, raising situational awareness, and supporting the bridge team’s decision-making process through tested algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, and augmented-reality visualization.