ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the conditions in the maritime industry, regulatory scope and ship procurement processes that create an ecosystem where poor design solutions can become more readily introduced and embedded in bridge design, and thus affect seafarers and their sensemaking during operations. A ship’s bridge is a complex work environment that is typically outfitted with a range of equipment supplied from numerous different vendors. Multivendor ship bridge systems that merge independent equipment from different vendors can create disparities for navigation crew once all necessary equipment is installed into a single work environment. Design consistency is critical in supporting sensemaking during operations, as sensemaking requires interpretation and action, enacting a more ordered environment from which further cues can be drawn to create a shared understanding. Like most industries, throughout the 20th and 21st centuries automation has led to both higher operational productivity, which, in turn, also reduced the number of required personnel.
