Investigating the introduction of e-navigation and S-100 into bridge related operations: the impact over seafarers

The present work is focused on analyzing how e-navigation will affect the daily work of seafarers involved in bridge-related operations. Within e-navigation, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is currently working in the development of the new standard (S-100) whose role is to guarantee a homogeneous management of the maritime domain data. S-100 is called to act as the Common Maritime Data Structure (CMDS), it represents the technical framework required to guarantee a wider and better use of maritime data. The mission of the standard is to create a common foundation that can be used for multiple purposes; meteorologists, physicists, and whoever is interested in developing maritime related products will refer to the same standard. Not having a homogeneous type of data processed with standardized procedures will allow a better combination and processing of maritime data. Considering the perspective of Hydrographic Offices, the objective of the present document is to analyze the impact which e-navigation will have over seafarers. The study is focused on the evaluation of the risks connected to S-100-based products and on the analysis of specific bridge operations. Considering that e-navigation products are still at their design phase, being aware of the consequences for the final users is essential to make S-100-based products more customer oriented and to allow seafarers who are involved in bridge operations to get familiar with this new technology.