Technology alone will not ensure safety at sea

Reports of ship groundings and collisions continue to be received with depressing regularity, and are often attributed to fundamental errors in the navigation of the ships involved. The UK P&I Club’s David Nichol highlights some of the common contributory factors identified in casualty reports and suggests steps to ensure navigational safety.

A modern ship’s navigational bridge, with its integrated consoles, displays, state-of-the-art technology and comfortable armchairs, is a far cry from the equipment that was available in the 1970s. Yet accidents continue to occur despite advances in navigational equipment design and technology, as well as the statutory introduction of uniform minimum standards of ship management, and seafarer training and education.