The Nautical Institute Wants Feedback on S-Mode

The Nautical Institute has called for navigators to provide their views on the latest concept for S-Mode. The concept calls for an “always on” standardization of key features to be adopted by the leading manufacturers of navigation systems. 

The latest suggestions were presented at the IMO’s 5th Navigation, Communication and Search and Rescue Sub-committee meeting by the Nautical Institute and other stakeholders including Comité International Radio-Maritime (CIRM), the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and delegation members from Australia and South Korea. 

The new proposal, by CIRM, focuses on: 
1) a standard approach to hotkeys
2) the establishment of “essential information blocks” 
3) defining a list of functions that must be accessible by single or simple operator action.

The Nautical Institute says these proposals need urgent feedback feedback from mariners before they become enshrined in IMO Guidance due to be finalized next year.

Nautical Institute Director of Projects, David Patraiko, said: “The collaboration with industry stakeholders has taken years, however this new approach of standardization should lead to more effective familiarization for mariners and ultimately improve the safety of navigation. 

“For many years and particularly with the increased complexity of ship systems, mariners have been challenged when sailing on different ships with different manufacturers’ equipment to become familiar with systems that are so safety critical.” S-mode has been championed by The Nautical Institute since 2008.

Visit www.nautinst.org/knowledge to participate in three short surveys. They can be done individually or in groups. The groups might be bridge teams (if internet is available), officers in a shipping company or training organization. 
 
The surveys, developed by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, will close on June 1.