According to a review of studies conducted by the IMO and other organizations, human error is responsible for well over 75% of all navigational accidents. While some accidents are clearly the result of ignorance or reckless behavior, many more are the result of complacency, fatigue, over-reliance on technology, and a general attitude, both onboard and in the office, that navigation is not a priority activity. A number of high-profile accidents involving fatalities, extensive pollution, and enormous financial costs should leave no one in any doubt that safe navigation is critical, but the perception that navigation is a secondary activity persists.

A Navigation Assessment seeks to restore balance and focus the minds of both the ship’s bridge team and ashore management on the importance of safe navigation. All shipping companies carry out some form of navigational audit. This is usually done as part of a larger ISM audit, and while some companies require navigation to be audited while the vessel is at sea, these audits are often done in port.

A Navigation Assessment differs from an audit in that it allows the time spent performing navigational activities to set the pace of the assessment, rather than compressing an audit into the time available. The goal is to thoroughly examine how a vessel is navigated and to provide guidance and assistance as needed. While the distinction between “Audit” and “Assessment” is difficult to define, the following are the key features of the Navigational Assessment:

• It is “non-invasive,” or at least less invasive, because the majority of the assessment is based on observing policies and procedures being followed and procedures being implemented (the idea being that crew will behave as they would without the assessor being present)
• The activity determines the assessment’s pace (e.g. pre-departure checks require a minimum finite time to complete, to observe the 4-8 watch will take 4 hours minimum)
• It is possible to reduce the amount of time spent reviewing historical records (as it is possible to see the records actually being created and hence confirm their correctness.)
• Any Corrective Action can begin immediately and be seen to be effective before the assessment is completed (reducing follow-up for the ship owner / manager).

Meeting & findings (Note: the assessment has “Findings” rather than Non-Conformities, Deficiencies, or Observations. Our team includes Nautical Institute Accredited Navigation Assessors who can board vessels and conduct real-time Navigation Assessments. Typically the assessment is conducted during a short coastal sailing of about 3-5 days. The evaluation will make an attempt to cover open sea, coastal, and confined waters navigation practices. Please contact us for more information and a quotation for this service.