The STEER project, which investigates the impact of technology on mariners, has released a preliminary report that highlights the evidence and shortcomings in this area. This report has been prepared by The Nautical Institute and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, and it collects scientific materials, industrial evidence, and examines maritime incidents.
Impact of Technology on Safety and Efficiency
The report indicates that technology can improve safety, efficiency, and quality of life at sea, but these benefits heavily depend on how systems are designed, introduced, and supported. One of the main findings is that technology does not operate in isolation, and its effects on safety, workload, skills, and well-being are significantly influenced by how it is designed and implemented.
Barriers and Challenges in Using Technology
An examination of 471 maritime incidents between 2005 and 2025 revealed that 43.1% of these cases involved at least one human factor related to equipment and working conditions. In many cases, technology itself was not the primary cause of the incident, and deeper issues such as inadequate training, poor procedures, and lack of oversight led to these incidents.
Captain David Patricio, project manager at The Nautical Institute, states: "Technology brings significant benefits to maritime transport, but evidence shows that these benefits cannot be measured solely based on technical capabilities. What matters is the performance of systems in real operations and their impact on the people expected to use them."
This report also shows that mariners are not resistant to technological advancements; rather, their concerns are more related to difficult or poorly supported systems, insufficient familiarity, and inconsistent interfaces. Additionally, technology-related incidents are often associated with misuse or misunderstanding of systems.
Ultimately, the report emphasizes that human capability cannot be fully replaced by automation, but it can be effectively supported by it. The main question is how technology can provide the best support for safe operations, professional judgment, and the well-being of mariners.
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