With an open innovation project, Fanny Rebiffe (MARIN) demonstrated that machine learning can teach itself to control maritime assets, with much of the process done in a simulation environment. It landed her the Maritime Talent Award.
The award was presented during the Maritime Awards Gala last night, 4 November at Studio 21 in Hilversum. Along with the Maritime Talent Award, four other awards were presented, the Ship of the Year Award, the Maritime Security Award, the Maritime Achievement Award and the Maritime Innovation Award.
Also read: Seaqualize wins Maritime Innovation Award 2024
AI Sail
Inspired by how children intuitively learn to sail an Optimist without understanding aerodynamics or hydrodynamics, the AI Sail project explored if a computer could do the same using machine learning. A multidisciplinary team equipped an Optimist with sensors and actuators, developed an artificial intelligence (AI) framework, and created a simulation environment. The AI agent learned sailing strategies in a simulation and then successfully navigated upwind in MARIN’s basin.
The reason for this challenge extends beyond sailing. The core question was: how can AI contribute to a cleaner, smarter, and safer maritime world? Ship design and operation are increasingly complex, requiring advanced systems for emission-free operations. Maritime accidents cause significant damage, and society demands better risk management. Sustainable offshore energy needs complex installation and maintenance. Thus, better support for people in design and on board is essential. The maritime sector is keen on learning how AI technology can enhance design and operations.
Rebiffe joined MARIN in late 2022, holding MSc degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Data Science. From the start, she was deeply involved in the AI Sail project, bridging gaps between domain experts and AI specialists, academics and experimenters, and MARIN and maritime partners.
Her efforts convinced skeptics, facilitated multidisciplinary collaboration, and generated enthusiasm for AI’s potential. Her ability to translate complex knowledge for diverse audiences ensured the project’s success and accelerated AI development with the result that MARIN is working on concrete follow-up projects together with the sector and started a Maritime Innovation Lab.
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Other nominees
There were two more nominees for the Maritime Talent Award:
- Elise Hoffmann (TU Delft/Damen Shipyards) – Implementing circularity in the ship design process
- Willem van Herwaarden (Maritiem Instutuut Willem Barentsz/Heerema Marine Contractors) – Determination of actual roll
- parameters for offshore crane vessels
The Maritime Talent Award is intended to recognise an individual for his or her research work or development result. Central to this is to what extent this work shows talent through originality, innovation and thus is leading with potential for application within the maritime sector in the Netherlands. The Maritime Awards Gala is therefore a very effective way for the nominees to bring their talent to the attention of a large audience. The Maritime Talent Award is intended for recent graduates and PhD students as well as employees of universities, research institutes and industry in the Netherlands.
Picture (top): Fanny Rebiffe bridged gaps between domain experts and AI specialists, academics and experimenters, and MARIN and maritime partners (by Fanny Rebiffe/Maritime Awards Foundation).
Also read: Kalea Holkema wins Maritime Talent Award
