This paper was presented by Captain Wylie at the Full Assembly meeting of the Radio Technical Commission for Marine Services in New York on 26 October 1956. The subject is dealt with under three headings: Communication, Navigation and Anti-collision.

To the landsman of the western world, telecommunication is as unremarkable a part of his life as his toothbrush. To the seaman in the old tradition, it may occasionally be anathema, but to the modern mariner that feeling of isolation which came when the last mail had been collected and the shore telephone line disconnected, while sometimes a blessed relief, is becoming an anachronism. On shore, the use of the telegraph service has receded very greatly as a result of the increasing efficiency and availability of the telephone. More and more people discover and insist upon the advantage of personal contact by speech. At sea there is little difference in the desire, but a great deal in its gratification, due to lack of facilities and to failure to provide an integrated system which will serve the ship from mid-ocean to her anchor berth in port.