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Control strategies used by experienced marine navigators: observation of verbal conversations during navigation training

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Abstract

This article investigates the relationship between the control situation framework, as presented by Bjørkli et al. (Cogn Technol Work 9:67–80, 2007), and observed operator action and communication in high-speed craft operation in the Norwegian Royal Navy. The reported data include two series of events during sailing in the Norwegian archipelago where uncertainty of ship position, challenges of manoeuvring and navigation strategies are addressed. The results indicate that the navigators perform actions and communicate in accordance with the key features of the control situation framework, and thus adapt to the interrelation between control possibilities and control requirements. The navigators were guided by explicit knowledge of the functional characteristics of psychical and temporal dynamics, which were actualized in manoeuvring. It indicates that the control situation framework can be used to describe the models the operators use.

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Notes

  1. Geographical direction of movement is denoted by a three-digit number between 000 and 359 where 000 reflects true north. The numbers increases clockwise, so a straight eastward movement is a 090 course, a southbound movement is 180, and a straight westward course is 270. The course 059 reflects a northeast movement.

  2. Marine navigation within the archipelago depends on the use of landmarks and other navigational aids, such as beacons and iron perches that are placed to mark where it is possible to sail. Only lighted landmarks are used when sailing in darkness.

  3. SHV indicates the Norwegian Maritime Civil Guard.

  4. Obs indicates observation room, a room below deck that, among others, contains advanced surveillance equipment.

  5. Maximal rudder angle means that there is an upper limit to the amount of rudder angle that will lead to an increase in turn rate. If one increases the turn rate beyond the maximum, the vessel’s turn rate will not increase. Instead, the vessel will begin to shake violently, as the increased energy output from the rudder’s deflection of water is transformed. The navigators try not to exceed the maximal turn rate as this can damage the ship.

  6. The Norwegian term, “varme tørnet”, directly translated means “heating the turn”, indicating that one prepares the system to act in a given manner, which will not require any additional time lag or additional actions on the side of the navigator.

Abbreviations

HSC:

High-speed crafts

CO:

Commanding officer

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Acknowledgement

The authors have no financial or otherwise conflicting interests in relation to any parts of this paper.

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Author notes

  1. Kjell Ivar Øvergård

    Present address: NSB Drift Østland, DA-bygget 5. etg., 0048, Oslo, Norway

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway

    Kjell Ivar Øvergård

  2. Vestfold University College, P.O. Box 2243, 3103, Tønsberg, Norway

    Cato Alexander Bjørkli & Thomas Hoff

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1094 Blindern, 0317, Oslo, Norway

    Cato Alexander Bjørkli & Thomas Hoff

  4. Scanpower AS, Instituttveien 10, 2027, Kjeller, Norway

    Bjarte Knappen Røed

Authors
  1. Kjell Ivar Øvergård
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  2. Cato Alexander Bjørkli
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  3. Bjarte Knappen Røed
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  4. Thomas Hoff
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Kjell Ivar Øvergård or Cato Alexander Bjørkli.

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Øvergård, K.I., Bjørkli, C.A., Røed, B.K. et al. Control strategies used by experienced marine navigators: observation of verbal conversations during navigation training. Cogn Tech Work 12, 163–179 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-009-0132-9

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