Read Seaways online at http://www.nautinst.org/seaways May 2019 | Seaways |
Issue 19 covered the often overlooked issue of ‘Lookout by all available
means’, with articles by Capt Jajiv Singh MNI and Vice-President Capt
Trevor Bailey FNI.
We were pleased to learn that at least one navigator who started
reading The Navigator as a cadet now has his first command and
credits The Navigator for helping him along the way. All copies of The
Navigator are available for free online, either in pdf form or on the app,
with some translation options as well.
Human element
We retain our commitment to the human element across a range of
activities in almost everything we do. We have now distributed 1,
copies of the Alert! Human Element Compendium to maritime training
centres around the world (below), thanks to sponsorship from The
Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the Maria Tsakos Foundation and The
Nautical Institute’s India (South) Branch. Although the entire print
run of these fully indexed books has been distributed, pdf versions are
available to members on request.
We follow technological developments (as resources permit) in
the areas of navigation, communications, lifesaving appliances, ship
design and training to assess the impact on the human element and
in particular to predict unexpected consequences. Our Council is
particularly aware of HE issues with the rapid development of artificial
intelligence (AI), decision support systems and the greater use of
automation particularly on board with humans. Within this work the
NI seeks to understand any changes of tasks and needs for new and
evolving competencies.eNavigation
The NI has been engaged in the development of eNavigation since
its inception in 2006. S-Mode, or ‘guidelines on standarised modes of
operation’ for navigation systems, has been progressed and is expected
to be approved at the IMO in 2019 (to be reported in Seaways). Special
thanks go to Dr Margareta Lützhöft FNI and her team for their human
factors approach to getting user feedback on S-Mode proposals and to
Prof Andy Norris FNI for his advice.
An ePelorus was proposed by the NI in 2008 – based on a
traditional pelorus, but with a trigger that can send a line of position
to an electronic navigation display. A prototype was developed by
the UK General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) and described in
August Seaways. We remain interested in hearing from anyone with
operational experience with one or anyone wishing to trial them.
In 2018 the NI was represented on the IALA eNavigation committee
by our Senior Vice-President Jillian Carson-Jackson who served as
Chair of the Communications Working Group. Her group discussed
the development of AMRD (autonomous maritime radio devices) and
the concerns over misuse of units transmitting on AIS frequencies.
Professional development and short courses
The Professional Development Committee focused on developing and
promoting a growing range of short courses by leading practitioners.
They cover Navigation Assessments, Incident Investigation and a more
general course in Onboard Assessments that can be applied to the
new TMSA requirements for independent assessments for navigation,
engineering, mooring and cargo operations. Students from the
assessment courses can also complete a practical demonstration to be
awarded an assessor’s certificate and entered on our register of assessors.
During 2018, 288 delegates completed the Marine Incident
Investigation & Analysis Course and the Navigation Assessor Course
contributing to their professional development and improving industry
effectiveness and safety.
IMO
The past year has been eventful with attendances at 13 IMO
Committee and Sub Committee meetings. Highlights include:
SDC5 Safe mooring operations guidelines, aimed at preventing
accidents and injury when ships are being secured at their berth in a
port.
SSE5 Draft interim guidelines on life-saving appliances and
arrangements for ships operating in polar waters being developed,
the Polar Code having entered into force in 2017.
MEPC72 Amendments were adopted to the Ballast Water
Management (BWM) Convention. The amendments will enter into
force on 13 October 2019.
LEG105 The increase in the number of reported cases of
abandonment of seafarers was highlighted.
Guidance is being developed by the ITF and Seafarers’ Rights
International (SRI) to support the implementation of the 2006
IMO/ILO Guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a
maritime accident.
MSC99 The NI made two interventions, one on MASS (see
below) and one on IALA matters related to VTS. The NCSR
Sub-Committee has been assigned as the co-ordinating organ for
VTS ‘Revision of the Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services’. The
Committee also noted support for the update of the IALA standards,
for training and certification of vessel traffic service (VTS) personnel.Trustees’ Annual Report