Supporting Situation Awareness on the bridge: testing route exchange in a practical e-Navigation study

Abstract

In a simulator study parts of the ACCSEAS project’s e-Navigation route exchange concept termed “intended routes” has been tested in a full mission bridge simulator using experienced bridge officers in port approach scenarios. By “intended routes” we mean a service where ships underway send a number of waypoints ahead of their present position, from their voyage plan; thus sharing their intentions with ships within radio range. Other ships “intended routes” become visible on the ECDIS screen on request and can be queried for where my own ship is when the other ship is at the cursor indicated point on the displayed “in­ tended route”. Observation, focus group interviews and questionnaires were used to capture qualitative data on professional acceptance, the concept, procedural changes, functions and interface. The tested service was very well received with high acceptance ratings.