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Distribution and display of Maritime Safety Information in an e-Navigation context
Last modified: 2015-04-14
Abstract
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2006 started the work on a concept called “e-Navigation”. e-Navigation is defined as the harmonized collection, integration, exchange, presentation and analysis of marine information [---]. The important aspects were safety and efficiency and in the centre stood the human element that had to deal with aplethora of unintegrated systems. Much information necessary to solve real world problems was already out there, but needed to be made available in a human friendly way. Some of the misunderstandings leading to accidents could perhaps be avoided by presenting the information in a more effective way. One such area was Maritime Safety Information (MSI).Traditionally mariners have been updated on new information regarding navigational matters trough printed Notices to Mariners (NtM), and Chart Corrections sent out by surface mail, and in the case of more urgent information through Navigational Warnings transmitted by coastal radio stations and NAVTEXT. All of these means of communication has meant that the responsible navigation officer have had to read or listen though huge amounts of information to find out the ones relevant for his ship and present voyage. The result has sometimes been that important information has been missed.With the recent mandatory carriage requirement of the Electronic Chart and Display Information System (ECDIS) a vehicle for a more precise distribution system of MSI from shore to ships is in place. The question is now how to design a system of safe and precise delivery of MSI. In two EU projects, the EffcienSea (2009-2012) and ACCSEAS (2012-2015) this issue has been investigated. The authors has all been involved in these two projects and this paper will discuss and present findings from this research based on a human-centred design process involving focusgroup interviews with stake holders, user-tests and practical field experiments.
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