Trans RINA, Vol 155, Part C1, Intl J Marine Design, Jan - Jun 2013
information needs to be available (e.g. a voice conversation disappears, whereas written information remains available). Daft and Lengel (1986) point out that humans distinguish themselves from technological
uncertainty but also assist in resolving
equivocality. 5.
systems by having the
capacity to interpret and respond to ambiguity. Thus, they find that information systems in organisations should not only reduce
METHOD/PROCEDURE
Two pilot studies were performed with active seafarers, in all 12 persons, and one group with 8 deck cadets in their 4th year of maritime studies. The first two groups consisted of a mix of deck and engine personnel – and lasted about 2 hours each. In the first group, participants sat around a table and were provided with a nautical paper chart as a basis for creating a list of tasks and information that could be shared during a common voyage planning session as well as en route. In the second group, the participants (7 experienced deck officers) gathered around (Figure 1) a Samsung touch table equipped with some
prototype
applications (an image of a paper chart that could be turned and zoomed in, a high resolution air photo of the port of Gothenburg and some drawing and writing applications). The purpose was to let the participants elaborate on new ways of collaborative work on-board using a large touch table. Two of the authors acted as moderators during this 40-minute session. In the third group, the cadets were asked to come up with one idea each for
better
communication and cooperation on board, using the table, and present
it synthesis of all three groups’ results. the next day. The results below are a
Accessibility – by creating and overview and gathering information necessary for a successful planning of the voyage the
retrieving of information is less time-
consuming and efficient. 7.
DISCUSSION
This study is about integration and presentation. To demonstrate a more effective way of integrating available data, and to present it in a better and more usable way supporting the task at hand. It is about fitting the task to the user and not the user to the task.
The engine room and the bridge are dependent of each other to perform a safe and effective operation of the ship. This
process would benefit
ship/voyage overview. Many operating values can be logged automatically;
input
Figure 1: Discussion around the interactive table, session two
6. RESULTS
A few general design aspects were found in the analysis, where users wish the system to be simple, recognisable and pleasant – it was heavily empathised that new tools often mean more work. They saw benefits of information sharing and joint planning, but warned against integration issues, needs to conserve confidentiality and security (backup possibilities).
How can the coordination of joint or overlapping tasks on board be enhanced?
©2013: The Royal Institution of Naval Architects
relevant values
information and a only need to
from a more effective
distribution and sharing of relevant information. Therefore the ships should be equipped with an information sharing system with, for instance,
be
provided once, the system can automatically or on request generate lists and be continuously updated. The benefits include a reduction in workload and in duplication of work; the update system and the availability of information promote the planning of work, reduces
the risk
misunderstandings and thus promotes safety. In
is of distributed teams, conflicts may occur due to the
distance between team members. Although distances are not large on a ship, misunderstandings may still happen. Coordination
an aspect of communication and
collaborative work (Hinds & Bailey, 2003). If contextual information is included in a representation, it will lead to shared awareness and better social dynamics, whereas uneven distribution of information leads to deteriorated cooperation in a group.(Hinds & Bailey, 2003)
Overview – a salient requirement for the need of an overview emerged from the data. Both with regards to the possibility to scale up the electronic chart (or other representations displayed on smaller screens) and also to be able to create a joint overview of the different activities associated with the voyage. By having this overview, important information is readily accessible for the whole crew on board.
Information collection – the participants saw a possibility to gather different types of information in one place, information from, for example, checklists, books, internet and company communication.
Coordination – creating a single and joint time-line for the two operational departments on board.
Reminders – by having all information accessible on one platform the different notations made can serve as a reminder and thus facilitating the planning of the work on board.
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