What is maritime navigation? Unfolding the complexity of a Sociotechnical System

Abstract

Maritime navigation is a complex task, involving an ever-increasing number of stakeholders and technologies. As complexity is growing, attention turns to the human element as the major cause of accidents and incidents. However, it is also the human element that might bring coherence and reasoning to the complex sociotechnical system that comprises maritime navigation. Thus, it is essential to develop an interpretative framework that could make sense of this complex system. This research project aims to enhance safety in maritime navigation, by developing a conceptual framework. This enables the design of Joint Cognitive System (JCS) in support of maritime navigation, including unmanned vessels, by focusing on the interactions. Results suggest that common ground is created in two dimensions: control system and shared domain. It is also found that planning helps to create a common cognitive map that supports the distributed control of the JCS.