Anders Utkilen’s MT Xanthia is the first newbuilding to comply with the new class notation for nautical safety NAUT-AW.

MT Xanthia was the first vessel with the NAUT-AW notation. It was delivered from the Aker Aukra yard to Anders Utkilens rederi in February 2003.

"We think it is very important to focus on nautical safety and we do our outmost to optimise the working conditions for the navigators onboard our vessels," says Kjell Søholt, safety manager at Anders Utkilen. "With frequent port calls and navigating in heavily trafficked coastal areas, we cannot jeopardise the importance of nautical safety on our vessels. As soon as we have good coverage of official digital sea charts for our main trading area in the Baltic and North Sea, we will start using these official charts for the grounding avoidance system. The system is a vital part of the safety concept Nautical Safety – All Waters (NAUT-AW)."

The NAUT-AW notation was developed to reduce the likelihood of casualties. About 50 per cent of all casualties are caused by collisions, groundings, contact damages or damage caused by heavy weather. The majority of these accidents can be avoided if the bridge systems are optimised. The notation regulates design, working environment, equipment requirements, human-machinery relations and information handling to the navigators onboard.

DNV believes the increasing development in automation and integration onboard modern vessels requires close attention by class societies to avoid decreases in safety levels.