Lydia has a professional and academic background spanning the museum, heritage and maritime sectors
Seafarer Technology Engagement, Empowerment and Resilience (STEER)
In partnership with The Nautical Institute, support a maritime industry where technology enhances safety, wellbeing and professional judgement.
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Duration
This project's duration was 2.5 years
Value of grant
£990,000
Partner info
The Nautical Institute is a global non-profit professional membership organisation and a leading authority in the maritime industry. The Nautical Institute’s mission is to inspire the leaders of the future in the maritime industry, enable better decision-making by working together, sharing ideas and best practice and to provide a safer, environmentally sound and sustainable maritime industry.
Contact details
To empower seafarers at every career stage to improve safety by operating human-centred vessel technologies with competence and confidence.
Led by The Nautical Institute and funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the STEER Project aims to understand the combined impact of technology and working practices on seafarers’ day-to-day work, safety, skills and welfare. By listening to their lived experiences with emerging technologies and by engaging with industry stakeholders, the project will develop and disseminate practical decision-making tools that enhance maritime safety, sustainability and technological integration.
Seafarers are central to the success of the maritime industry, but little is known of how the integration of new systems impacts on their health, safety and skills. Maritime technologies are well-tested individually but integrated at speeds that outpace considered evaluation of their collective impact on the lived experience of people that work at sea.
The STEER Project is a global research and engagement initiative that will address this knowledge gap by developing evidence-based, practical tools that will enable the maritime industry to take a more human-centred approach to the successful adoption of new technologies.
The main activities for the programme include:
- Engagement with seafarers through in-person and online workshops, surveys and consultations to identify the effects of automation, connectivity and changing work practices.
- Collaboration with shipowners, manufacturers, regulators, academics and training providers to explore the technical, interpersonal and social impacts and challenges arising from changes in ship operations and shore-based control systems.
- An extensive literature review to understand existing data and behavioural patterns while identifying knowledge gaps.
- A series of interactive activities where seafarers, maritime professionals working ashore, industry bodies and manufactures come together to share experiences and exchange ideas on how to improve operational safety.
- Develop a practical fit-for-purpose decision-making toolbox that empowers seafarers and other stakeholders to integrate technology safely and efficiently.
The STEER Project will share findings at each stage of the research process and conclude with an industry-wide conference, with an additional aim to input into upcoming discussions on emerging technology implementation at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The STEER Project’s human-centred approach will provide the maritime industry with essential guidance that will improve the safety, welfare and decision making of those working at sea and ashore.
If you would like to participate in the STEER Project, please email steer@nautinst.org.
We want to ensure that existing and future seafarers are equipped with the tools, skills, support and agency to thrive in an increasingly automated maritime environment. #ListeningToSeafarers can help make ships safer for all."
Captain Ann Pletschke CMMar FNI STEER Project Lead
Seafarers are at the heart of shipping, yet their lived experience is often overlooked due to commercial pressures and the rush to innovate. The STEER Project is about listening to those on the front line, their experiences, insights and collective knowledge. Only then we will be able to develop the right tools that the maritime industry can use to make technology work for people and enable better decision-making.”
Captain David Patraiko FNI Director of Projects, The Nautical Institute
