Leaping into the Digital Future

When I was a young officer at sea we had a Captain who was obsessed with control. Not just telling you what to do, but even down to making sure you only ever saw, read, used, ate, drank and even breathed what he allowed. In some ways, it worked, but in others, it led to frustration and rancour. It got me thinking, how can we control data while ensuring people at sea and ashore get what they need?

PLASTIC ON THE SOFA

It’s all different now, thankfully, but those of a certain generation will likely remember when their grandparents kept their sofas wrapped in plastic. So as to avoid ruining the plush velour finish.

This had the positive effect of indeed protecting the cushions. Yet, unwittingly what they had done is spent good money on a sofa, only to render it sticky, uncomfortable and all rather unpleasant.

It’s a bit like people who put their mobile phones into giant cases…yes, they may be protected. Yet, the whole tactile designed experience is gone. With one cheap cover, the design genius of Jony Ive is rendered ridiculous.

Back to the mad ship Master in the intro. He also used to ration the time that officers could use various pieces of ship’s equipment. “Not your turn for the Sat Nav young Nicholls”, “You don’t need the radar lad, use your eyes”. Which, yes it did make me sharpen my practical skills — but it also eroded my potential.

LIMITED HORIZONS

With the Captain hell-bent on limiting usage of the technological tools which would otherwise be at our disposal, we fell into a rather strange world. One which perhaps many seafarers today are experiencing.

On my ship, with its latest Satellite Navigation system and brand new radar, we had an old mentality of distrust, scepticism and unwillingness to embrace change. Something which we are increasingly coming across with maritime informatics.

Now, there were some good impacts of this tough management approach. I was perhaps a sharper eyed navigator than I would otherwise have been. Yet, even my beautiful eyes cannot see as far as the radar. So, while my skills were sharpened, the actual results of what could be were diminished.

The crew were worked hard and proud of their skills, and yet they were also belittled at the same time. There was no respect for my professional pride and integrity. Now acceptance or appreciation that I would use the tools carefully, sparingly and correctly. No, we were just banned.

THRUST INTO MISTRUST

Those experiences, the recognition that it was great to be honing good old traditional tradecraft, versus the disappointment and frustration of not being able to advance my art. To be tied to the past instead of letting loose to learn and embrace the future.

That is where so many shipping companies are today. Some have fundamentally rebuilt themselves into a data-driven image. They have seen maritime informatics and digitalisation as every ounce as vital as the crew and the hull. For them the brave new world works — they have invested in mind, body, soul and (often) Krone.

While for others, there are companies which are close. They have the fundamentals, and yet some won’t take the plastic off the sofa, or allow the radar to be switched on. They are aware of the potential, but they are paralysed by the fear of what overreliance may do to them. They are scared of losing their way forward, their place in the industry and of being overwhelmed by a tsunami of change.

At the bottom of the pile, there are still the companies for whom data is merely another load of black marks from port State control. They care little for the data, they have no vision beyond existence and will make the moves as and when they have to. Like a frustrating chess opponent, they don’t actually have a plan but are quick-witted and move reactively.

MIDDLE GROUNDSWELL

So, that means it is even more important for the middle swathe of shipping companies to make sure that they are willing, able and enthusiastic about all that the future of shipping can be.

For me at the forefront, it is not just technology, but the psychology of what it can bring to shipping. I desperately want to show the benefits, to highlight what can be done and how. To put an arm around companies to make them see how their future can be if they embrace the potential and aren’t fearful of the consequences.

I want to be that Master who encourages the young officer to see what the new kit can do, to have their vision and capability enhanced and grown. While all the time ensuring that they know of the importance of appreciating the foundations on which it is all built.

To stand on a ship’s Wheelhouse and look out of the window. To see the coast in the distance, to anticipate the movement of the ships around you, to be able to raise our eyes to the stars and recognise and be able to know where we are in relation to them. That is the art of seafaring and the foundation of our knowledge and skill. We must always revere that…but we must do so as we move forward, not always looking back.

MOVING FORWARD

Shipping is a noble industry. One that is not without its black marks, its problems, and its foibles. However, it is the trade that has shaped our globe, raised standards, given livelihoods, food and driven desire too.

So, for a passionate maritime person, the future is always more exciting than the past. We know our history but are engaged with building on it, not just building statues or monuments to it.

To do that we need to ensure that the message is spread, that all can see the amazing power of data, the unleashed potential of digitalisation and the good that can come for all from harnessing technology.

The problems of shipping can be soothed by data, the opportunities can be grabbed, maximised and exploited. It is simply a case of understanding the art of the possible, knowing how that can fit into a company and of going for it. Lift the plastic off the sofa granny, let’s all get comfy as we’re in it for the long haul.