Western Joint Branch Event: Regulations of Autonomous Maritime Systems

Presented by: Jess Morris & Ian Groom (Safeguard Engineering)

Date: Monday, 12th of October 2026 Time: Refreshments at 18:15, lecture starts at 18:45
Venue: In-Person Only, MV Balmoral, Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RN.
Organiser: Western Joint Branch RINA/IMarEST
Contact:

About the Presenters: Jess Morris holds an MEng in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford and is currently a Graduate Safety Engineer at Safeguard Engineering Ltd. She has supported safety and regulatory assurance activities across complex commercial and defence autonomous systems programmes, including work related to Large Uncrewed Surface Vessels and subsea equipment, and recently co-authored a paper on adapting safety case regimes for spiral development programmes. Jess will be supported by Ian Groom MBE, former Defence Maritime Regulator and Principal Safety Engineer at Safeguard Engineering Ltd. Safeguard Engineering Ltd is a specialist defence safety, environmental and engineering consultancy. A key and growing business stream is supporting the development and assurance of Maritime Autonomous Systems across defence and commercial markets. Our personnel contribute to several industry committees and expert panels, including the Institute of Engineering and Technology AI Technical Committee, the Society of Maritime Industries Maritime Autonomous Systems Regulatory Working Group and the University of York Safety and Security of AI Network.

About the Talk: Rapid technological advancement of Maritime Remotely Controlled and Autonomous Systems provides the UK with a transformative opportunity for world-leading innovation, economic growth, greater efficiencies and the advancement in commercial and military capabilities. Realising these benefits safely requires legislative and regulatory frameworks that not only provides the adaptability for innovation and change, but also provides the mechanisms for suitable and effective assurance that these novel systems are safe. Jess and Ian will provide an insight into the current and emerging maritime regulations, legislation and guidance applicable to these systems and their associated challenges of application from an industry perspective. By highlighting the challenges with the assurance of these systems, Jess and Ian will identify a potential way forward to ensure effective assurance of these systems that also preserves the pace and flexibility sought for these systems, and through complementary iterative / spiral development programmes.

Registration: We will be running this as an in-person only event - Click Here to Register
CPD Certificates will be sent to the email address used to register.