Remote monitoring and control systems are being used with more frequency, but the characteristics of situational awareness and decision-making from remote locations are largely unknown. Remote operators’ sources of information differ from on-board sources greatly in terms of perspective, field of view, and available data type (qualitative or quantitative). This study focused on clarifying the cognitive effects of first- and third-person perspectives on ship handling. A working hypothesis was formulated based on the findings of visual information processing and previous studies and tested using a developed ship handling simulator. The results revealed that: (1) the cognitive characteristics of the first-person perspective make it more effective in safely guiding ship handling than does the third-person perspective, and (2) the deviation in cognitive characteristics is prominent where collision can be easily avoided. The findings will aid the development of on-board and remotely piloted vessels and ensure the safety of their crews.

This paper outlines the results of a project to develop and test an augmented reality smart phone application (‘app’) to aid the safety of navigation of leisure sailors with limited navigational skills. The app works in two modes: in the ‘turned off mode’ the app gives an alarm 30 seconds before the boat is predicted to ground. The navigator then immediately stops the boat, picks up the phone and, uses the app to view the surrounding water where NoGo areas less than 3 metres in depth are outlined in red. By panning the smart phone around, safe escape routes with deep water are visible. The prototype app was tested on a group of boat owners in western Norway with very good results, both from technical and usability perspectives. This report outlines the concept of operation of the app, details some of the difficulties encountered in its development and testing, specifies the issues that remain to be resolved to turn the concept into an effective system, and outlines future development plans.