Seafarers invited to help manufacturers improve onboard design
The Nautical Institute and CIRM (the principal
international association for marine electronics companies) today
launched a joint initiative to improve the usability of navigation and
communication technology on board ships.
Speaking at the International e-Navigation Underway
Conference today, David Patraiko, Director of Projects for The Nautical
Institute, and Richard Doherty, Chief Technical Officer for CIRM,
announced the development of the CIRM User Feedback Forum.
The best way to achieve usability in a system,
product or service is to ask users what they think at each stage of the
design. This is the principle that underlies the concept of
human-centred design (HCD). Applying HCD is a key goal of the
International Maritime Organization’s eNavigation strategy.
“As a design concept goes, this all makes perfect
sense,” said Mr Patraiko, and many mariners are keen to offer feedback
into the design process but struggle to identify how to. Mr Doherty
confirmed that CIRM members are willing to listen and of course will
need to demonstrate this as
outlined in the IMO e-Navigation HCD Guidelines. These issues were also
confirmed during a recent EU funded Human Factor’s project CyClaDes (www.cyclades-project.eu).
To encourage mariners’ input, CIRM created the CIRM
User Feedback Forum, which brings together willing seafarers and
interested manufacturers to ensure that designs are validated using
human-centred-design principles. The Forum can be accessed at http://cirm.org/services/cuff.html
The Nautical Institute, the leading international
body for maritime professionals, will encourage mariners from around the
world to register as potential ‘beta testers’ for CIRM members’ research
and development projects. The process is absolutely free for seafarers
and confidential for the manufacturers. Training centres are also
invited to become involved and to form relationships with manufacturers
that may be interested in running trials.
Mariners gain by being able to preview, understand
and influence new designs. Mr Patraiko said that mariners often
challenge why or even how certain design features have been developed.
The Forum provides an opportunity for them to get involved with the
design before it ends up on their ships.
Cost considerations often make it hard for training
centres to expose students and instructors to the latest technology. Now
maritime colleges will not only to be able see the latest designs, but
also will be able to use their training experience to assist in the
development of new equipment and systems.
Mr Doherty describes this as a practical approach and
a win-win solution, bringing manufacturers and users together.
This is a golden opportunity for all mariners and
trainers to improve the design of systems they may have to use in the
future while enjoying the process of working with the design teams, said
Mr Patraiko. The Nautical Institute also plans to publish case studies
from these trials, which will spread the benefits to the whole industry.
CIRM and The Nautical Institute invite the industry
to promote the forum and encourage users to register so that it can make
a positive contribution to future navigation and communication systems.
Editor’s notes:
About The Nautical Institute
The Nautical Institute is the international professional body for
qualified seafarers and others with an interest in nautical matters. It
provides a wide range of services to enhance the professional standing
and knowledge of members who are drawn from all sectors of the maritime
world. Founded in 1972, it has nearly 50 branches worldwide and some
7,000 members in 120 countries. In 2015, the Institute was the proud
recipient of the Investment in People award for its Navigator
magazine at the Seatrade Awards. http://www.nautinst.org
About CIRM
The Comité International Radio-Maritime
(CIRM) is the principal international association for marine electronics
companies. CIRM exists to promote the application of electronic
technology to the safety of life and efficient conduct of vessels at
sea. We strive to foster relations between all organisations concerned
with electronic aids to marine navigation, communications and
information systems.
http://www.cirm.org
About eNavigation
E-navigation is defined as “the
harmonized collection, integration, exchange, presentation
and analysis of marine information on board and ashore by electronic
means to enhance berth to berth navigation and related services
for safety and security at sea and
protection of the marine environment”. http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Navigation/Pages/eNavigation.aspx
For more information please contact Richard Doherty, Chief Technical
Officer, CIRM
rd@cirm.org