Functional Communication for Effective Bridge Teamwork when Avoiding Collisions with Oncoming Vessels

Abstract

In ship-handling, when given navigational situations become difficult to deal with, a bridge team is organized in order to share necessary tasks among team members for achieving sustainable safe navigation. However, bridge teams do not always realize such an intention. That is why Bridge Team Management (hereinafter called "BTM") is essential to maintain cohesive and consistent teamwork.

With this in mind, the authors focus on functional communication among bridge team members which is an important factor for executing BTM. In this paper, the authors analyze the contents of information exchanged among team members during collision avoiding maneuvers, and define necessary functions for achieving safe navigation by utilizing tree structures. The proposed tree structures reveal necessary functions by utilizing combinations of information for avoiding collisions with oncoming vessels. Based on these tree structures, the achievement degree of communication in a bridge team is evaluated quantitatively. It is hoped that this new area of research will contribute to more effective bridge teamwork, reducing the risk of collision.