Bad ship design can make life onboard difficult and uncomfortable, cause accidents and even kill. Naval architects have a huge responsibility, but few of them have direct experience of how their designs affect those who use them. Improving Ship Operational Design, published towards the end of September by The Nautical Institute, aims to make maritime operations safer and more effective by giving ship designers an insight into how those onboard work and live. The book was launched at a recent Royal Institution of Naval Architects’ (RINA) conference, where naval architects and others involved in ship design discussed the issue of human factors in ship design and operation.

Improving Ship Operational Design, 2nd ed. is available from The Nautical Institute. Price: £50; ISBN: 978 1 906915 28 5; may be ordered here.