>
Subject: Re: TWL: Re: Laptops and navigation
I agree, you can not set any system and ignore it. If you do you will
eventually wind up like the guy Arlid talked about, aground in a
channel or
worse, under a freighter.
I have been in the real-time software business for 25 years. I have
developed
navigation software, weapon systems, and other things for the
military. I now
perform safety analysis on systems that contain safety critical
software.
Systems like fly by wire planes, air traffic control system, and several
new
steering systems for cars.
The navigation software I worked on ran on a computer with 96k and ran
with many
other command and control systems on the ship in the same computer. It
works
well even today. The captain on the Navy vessel was not relieved of
responsibility just because he had fancy software to show him the
closest point
of approach or the next marker. The captain is still responsible. On
the
Chesapeake, I see captains run aground, hit markers, and other boats
without the
help of a computer. The irresponsible will have accidents with or
without a
computer.
The computer and software for navigation are only a tool, just like a
paper
chart and dividers. I do not feel that I need a $4,000 to $10,000
computer to
help me navigate my little boat. I use a Sony Laptop, windows 98, and
another
brand of software to assist me in navigation. I use the computer for my
business when I travel. It has a 10 inch screen. I can navigate well
with it.
I use it as a aid, someone is always standing watch and comparing the
computer
position to the paper chart. The software and the computer you use
doesn't
matter as much as how you use them together to help you navigate.
I guess the point is that any system built by man can and will probably
fail,
the important thing is to be able to recover. On planes, one of the
human
factors issues dealing with autopilots is that there is a possibility
that the
pilot might not be up to speed on what is happening with the plane if
there is a
problem. The same is true with our boat's autopilot, you must keep up
with what
is happening so you can take over without a learning curve if there is a
problem.
Grady Lee
M/V Summer Moon
49' Marine Trader PH
On the South River in Maryland
> I'm not saying the guy or gal on watch can read a book while the
software
> controls the boat. The most important element in the navigational
equation
> is still the gray stuff between our ears.
>
> Also, if it's ok to let a $100 computer (a GPS) control your autopilot
> (itself a computer) then why is it not ok to let a $5,000 to $10,000
> computer system control the autopilot?
>
> Dennis
>
