NYK and MTI have conducted a ship-to-shore connection test for the ship navigation support tool J-Marine NeCST.
Together with Japan Radio (JRC), the companies verified the effectiveness of the tool’s functions.
For the test, a fire was presumed to have starred on the NYK Cruises operated ‘Asuka II’. The two J-Marine NeCST tools — one on board ‘Asuka II’ and the other at NYK’s Crisis Management Centre at the Tokyo head office — were then connected via the internet.
The emergency [fire] button on the on board tool was activated, and an emergency checklist and fire control plan were immediately shared on synchronised screens. Prompt communication was then tested via the tool’s chat function.
Each of the tool’s functions were confirmed to be effective, NYK said.
During an on board emergency, particularly one involving fire, immediate and accurate communication between ship and shore is vital.
Currently, on board crews must report on the ship’s condition by phone, fax, email, or similar, while engaging the fire, which should be the crew’s utmost priority.
J-Marine NeCST allows us the bridging between ship and shore and thus drastically reduces the burden placed on the crew. In addition, professional advice from land allows for an understanding of the real progress of the fire extinguishing function on board.
The NYK Group will continue to combine on-site ideas with technology to create a safer work environment and address needed issues, the company said.
J-Marine NeCST is a ship navigation support tool jointly developed by NYK, MT, and JRC. It allows users to easily plan routes using the handwriting function of the electronic navigational chart, in addition to managing and sharing operational data using integrated information, such as meteorological and hydrographical forecasts.
