A Study on the Minimum Safe Distance Index of Filipino Navigators in the Vicinity of Obstacles and in Adverse Weather Conditions

Abstract

This paper investigates minimum safe distances relative to a ship’s four cardinal sides, as perceived by Filipino navigators when encountering dangerous elements and in adverse weather conditions when maneuvering in and around harbors. It uses a descriptive research method in the form of a questionnaire survey for experienced Filipino navigators of various ranks. During the course of research, 71 responses were colleted and the resulting data is presented in graphical and tabulated forms. Statistical methods including Pearson-product moment correlations, Cronbach’s Alpha and ANOVA were used to identify internal associations, consistencies and significances, respectively. It has been proven that there are no significant differences in minimum safe distances relative to a ship’s four cardinal sides, whether maneuvering while approaching a port or within an inner harbor. This study has been deemed significant for training future navigators, managing traffic in fairways, and designing harbors and maneuvering areas in the approaches to ports, among other applications. This work can also be used as a preliminary study for comparison with the well known safe domains presently in use.