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EDITOR'S NOTE | Representatives T echnology's role in the improvement of vessel design, building, outfitting and operation is a regular topic within our pages. However, a seemingly unrelated news clip which found its way to my desktop and into the pages of MR/EN sister publication Maritime Week gives perspective to burgeoning technologies — or perhaps more accu- rately, the correct and prudent use of new technology in conjunction with com- mon sense. It seems that a German motorist relied too heavily on his vehicle's satellite- guided navigation system, and obediently used the system to drive his BMW past a stop sign, down a ferry ramp and straight into the Havel River in eastern Germany. Police reports indicated that the driver was following the navigation system, which had evidently failed to note that the road in the town of Caputh near Potsdam ended at a ferry crossing. (Incidentally, the driver and his passen- ger were reportedly not injured.) While the above scenario is not directly marine-related (unless, of course, you count the automobile as a quasi-ferry for its eventful 12-ft. foray into the river), it should raise a red flag or two. First, and most obviously, it must be stressed that reliance on technology must be balanced with traditional seamanship. Second, proper training and proven competency is tantamount to the ultimate success of any new product or system. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has relentlessly pushed the "human factor" issues the past few years, and its sub-committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW) is set to convene again at the end of this month. On the more immediate, "real world" level, pioneering training techniques for tanker safety are being practiced by a consortium including ARCO, Crowley Marine and Marine Safety International. Coverage of this group's efforts is included in this months Ship & Boatbuilding Technology section, starting on page 18. The handling of the Y2K Bug and its potential problems — both shoreside and onboard vessels — will continue to be the year's biggest technology story. The most troubling aspect of "the bug" is the unknown, as it seems nearly impos- sible to accurately gauge the breadth and depth of problems to come. "Y2K: The Truth & Consequences," which starts on page 24, attempts to put the prob- lem in perspective. Coming Up In MR/EN in 1999 March 1999 World Ship Repair Technology Guide Guide to Satellite Communications Country Focus: Spain April 1999 International Offshore Annual World Ship Repair Atlas & Directory World Regional Report: Middle East May 1999 Nor-Shipping '99 Composite Materials for Marine Construction Satellite Communication Innovations Fuels, Lubricants, Additives & Filters Review Country Focuses: Finland & Canada June 1999 1999 Annual Yearbook Edition INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS CHARLES E. KEIL, Vice President 4400 N. 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