RADICALLY NEW APPROACH
The Alert JIP takes a radically different approach, focusing on periodically unattended navigation spaces without jeopardizing the safe operation. For several decades, machinery spaces have benefitted from automation systems and ‘unattended machinery spaces’ designation, to allow machinery spaces to be unattended mostly during the ‘dark hours’ of the day. Automation systems monitor the technical operation to alert the engineer on duty, when necessary, to any issues needing attention. The set-up of unattended machinery spaces allowed the engineers to dedicate their working hours to the necessary maintenance during the daylight hours and maintain a more favourable and healthier daylight/nighttime sleeping pattern

THE ALERT CONCEPT
The ALERT JIP will use a similar principle to allow the navigation space to be unattended for periods of time while not jeopardizing safe operations. The concept:

• Defines automation: tasks to be automated to allow the system to be activated and create time for unattended navigation
• Establishes Alert triggers: specify when crew intervention becomes necessary, considering factors such as navigational challenges, equipment status, and environmental conditions
• Sketches the essential information display that enables watch standers to regain situational awareness to enable decision making. Considering also the time needed to regain cognition.

SCOPE
In the Alert JIP we will work in close cooperation with volunteering seafarers on the following topics:

• Determine which tasks are carried out during navigation bridge watch standing at sea and establish priority indication for each identified task.
• Define, with input from the consulted crew members, what constitutes safe conditions/situations and establish safety level benchmarks for external conditions (weather, sea state, traffic density, proximity to navigational hazards and land) and vessel-specific factors (cargo configuration, maneuverability, vessel size, operating speed).
• Assess the impact of safe conditions on watch standing hour reduction across different operations. For example by utilizing route simulation methods to quantify operational impacts.
• Create an alerting scheme to notify the watch stander that the safe situation or conditions have changed from the pre-set levels using Human Machine Interface (HMI). Including determining how to build situational awareness.
• Analyze technological requirements and conduct gap analysis against commercially available solutions.
• Validate alert schemes and HMI systems using simulator facilities and collect feedback from designated crew members onboard operational vessels.
• Document the potential impact on (IMO) regulations and assess implications for safety, security, and environmental processes on board.

DELIVERABLES

• Proof of concept of ALERT and how this improves overall safety, efficiency, and the work-life balance for the bridge watchkeeper.
• Description of the ALERT concept including specifications for deployment of the ALERT operational concept and requirements for development of the ALERT system including variables and thresholds.
• Established approval for a trial under umbrella of MASS regulation (MSC.1-Circ.1604 item 1.2.2) in such a way that participants can subsequently successfully apply for trial under the current legal framework.
• Draft-amendment to IMO regulations, specifically to STCW Regulation VIII/2, in order to extend the trial period to permanent, and to extend the conditions for safe unattended navigation spaces.

BUDGET AND PLANNING
The JIP will run for three years. More information about the time schedule, finance and possibility to cooperate can be found in the proposal below.

INTERESTED?
Download the leaflet below to learn more about the project. Do you have questions or want to get involved? Don’t hesitate to contact us.