Mariner feedback during the design and operation of ships and systems

Human Centered Design (HCD) calls for mariner feedback at each stage of design. But where do manufacturers find a ready pool of such mariners, what is an 'average' mariner, and how can mariner feedback continue to be captured once the systems are installed and during their operational lives? In January 2016 The Nautical Institute and CIRM (the principal international association for marine electronics companies) launched a joint initiative to improve the usability of navigation and communication technology on board ships - the CIRM User Feedback Forum. This aims to solve the problem that many mariners are keen to offer feedback into the design process, but struggle to identify how. The User Feedback Forum offers a way to bring together willing seafarers and interested manufacturers to ensure that designs are validated using human-centred design principles. The Nautical Institute will encourage mariners from around the world to register as potential 'beta testers' for CIRM members' research and development projects. This paper will explore some of the issues and provide an update on the CIRM User Feedback Forum as a potential future solution.