Remote Navigation Audit
The best approach to reduce navigational risk and save costs
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In Margetis Maritime we constantly recognize our clients’ needs and expand the range of our services, applying our expertise & knowledge, to achieve optimal result in the most effective, efficient and immediate way.
We are now offering Full Remote Navigation Audits, by means of VDR Data analysis performed by specially trained Master Mariners around the World, applicable for Risk Assessment for Shipowners, Charterers, H&M Underwriters and P&I Clubs.
Why are Navigation Audits Required?
One of the biggest risks the owner or operator of a ship has to face is having a major navigational incident. More than 50% of marine casualties occur due to navigational error. Analysis of such incidents reveals they are normally attributable to the human element. However, when appropriate practices are correctly and professionally implemented, navigational risks are significantly reduced
Navigation Audits are increasingly being used to verify and enhance bridge team performance, and are a requirement under the OCIMF TMSA (Tanker Management Self Assessment) scheme.
Current Navigation Auditing practices have limitations
Traditionally Navigation Audits have required an auditor to sail with the vessel to monitor the bridge team performance. But, this approach suffers:
- the presence of the auditor on the bridge inevitably affects the behavior of the bridge team,
- there is no guarantee that the practices observed during the audit are maintained when the auditor is not present
- the costs of having a suitably skilled auditor to attend the ship can be significant.
- these costs can increase in an unpredictable manner by changes in the ship’s schedule
- the alternative of performing audits whilst the ship is alongside in port, may be reduced to a basic check of relevant bridge paperwork and as such will have little or no impact on the reduction of navigational risks.
The Solution is a new approach: The Remote Navigation Audit
A Remote Navigation Audit (RNA) service in collaboration with leading independent ship inspection consultants. This service is now being used by a growing number of leading shipping companies to provide increased assurance of their navigation practices. The RNA is based around the analysis of your ships’ Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) data. A trained auditor (and qualified Master Mariner) uses their experience and knowledge to comprehensively review the data against regulations, best practice and company procedures. The output from the RNA is a report which contains observations and recommendations that will enable you to take action to enhance navigational practices. These are backed up by screenshots and video clips, which can be used to debrief the bridge team, and/or communicate the lessons which can be learnt across the fleet.
The benefits of Remote Nav. Audit approach
- You get to choose the time period and location for the audit (i.e. you can choose the approach to a particular port, or transit through a TSS etc. to target known or suspected problem areas/ships for the audit)
- Fixed remote nav. audit costs known in advance (i.e. saves on the variable travel & waiting times/costs of conventional audits)
- No impact on Bridge Team by presence of the auditor, enables actual routine practices & procedures to be reviewed
- Depth of review – e.g. the data can be paused/replayed by the auditor more than once to check exactly what’s happened, in a way that’s not possible with a conventional audit.
- A video of the replay can be used to debrief the bridge team, and/or communicate the findings (good and bad) more widely across the fleet (desensitized if required).
- The routine use of your VDR data ensures that the VDR is functioning correctly, and the crew knows how to save and download data, so that VDR data should always be available in the event of an incident.
All of which mean that an RNA is a highly cost effective way to identify navigation practices where improvements can be made, so enhancing safety and reducing the risk of navigational accidents.
