Various methods of trajectory determination are used for finding solutions to collision situations involving
ships. This applies to avoiding collisions with other ships or stationary objects. In addition to the methods
generally used, new or modified versions of methods derived from other modes of transport are proposed.
One of the algorithms for route determination serving to avoid obstructions is the method of artificial potential
fields, used for determining routes of mobile robots. The method is used in maritime transport, for instance for
detecting anomalies in ship movement. The article presents the method of potential fields used for solving the
problem of route selection avoiding navigational dangers and obstacles. This article presents an algorithm of
route determination based on the said method, its implementation in the MATLAB program and examples of
application for the ship’s safe trajectory determination in some navigational situations.