Project Title: One Man Bridge Operations

With the advent of new navigation, communication and information management technologies, more and more companies are looking at the possibility of One Man Bridge Operations under certain conditions. This has sparked an international debate on the pros and cons of such a practice. Technology, safety, economics, human factors, familiar seamanship practices and similar topics are at the center of the debate. In addition, the United States Coast Guard expressed interest in the topic and asked the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) to address the issue.

The Nautical Institute, an international association of seagoing mariners was interested in determining what its members actually felt about this subject. Accordingly they held a series of meetings on this subject at the USMMA, Kings Point, NY. Capt. Ed Carr, formerly Chairman, Nautical Institute – NorthEast Coast USA Branch and an SOCP member suggested that the SOCP consider involvement in these activities as a project in PY 1998. The SOCP offered to sponsor videotaping of the proceedings of the various meetings.  The first meeting was recorded on April 15 and copies distributed to interested SOCP members. Highlights of that meeting are described below.

The first of a series of meetings on the topic of One Man Bridge Operations, organized by Capt. George Sandberg of the USMMA, was very successful. The presenter was Capt. Leo Stoel of BV Shipping Services in Holland. Capt. Stoel sailed in various capacities on general cargo vessels, oil and chemical tankers. He sailed as master for 10 years and gained experience with the transportation of refined chemicals. He came ashore and became Manager of the Department of Risk, Operations, Research and Development for their fleet of tankers and amongst other responsibilities, has been intensively involved with the development, testing and operation of modern bridges on their vessels. In 1992, he was promoted to Manager of the Nautical Department. He has extensive experience managing the company's initiatives with Integrated Bridge, One Man Bridge, and Bridge Operation and Management.

Capt. Stoel held the 35 strong audience captive with his presentation on the subject. The two and a half hour presentation included slides of the first ever One Man Bridge (OMB) certified vessel and the various technological innovations needed to operate in this mode. The first OMB certified vessel was a 5000 DWT Chemical Product Carrier registered in Holland, two and a half years ago.

Capt. Stoel emphasized the fact that their company had opted for having their vessels certified as "One Man Bridge" capable to initiate a safer regime of operation, rather than reduction in crew. He elaborated on the requirements of a ship’s Safe Manning Document which stated that even though a vessel can be certified as capable of OMB watchkeeping, there was still a need to ensure that sufficient crew is available to maintain a normal watch during various occasions. There was no short term cost savings in such operations, but when looking at the larger picture of safer marine transportation, an OMB certification would ensure that both technology and the human factor could interact to achieve such a goal.