The S-Mode survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/Nav-Funct and the results will be included in a report that will be presented to the IMO.

Emma Ward, Editor of The Navigator, said: "Imagine going to the bridge of a ship as a new arrival and finding that you’re unfamiliar with the ECDIS or Radar systems. This could seriously affect competence and safety. That is why The Nautical Institute is joining with other organisations to urge the IMO to establish a single set of S-Mode guidelines, and why the topic of S-Mode is thoroughly explored in this issue of The Navigator.”

David Patraico, Director of Projects for The Nautical institute, added: "This survey is your chance to shape the future of navigation systems. There are no wrong answers, so please use our survey to tell us what you think. But first, read this issue of The Navigator to learn about the current issues surrounding S-Mode."

The Nautical Institute launched its Navigator Distributor scheme in 2015, encouraging a wider, global distribution of the free, 12-page magazine to as many professional marine navigators as possible. Anyone interested in finding out how their organisation can take part in the scheme should visit: www.nautinst.org/thenavigator.

The Navigator is produced by The Nautical Institute with surppot from the Royal Institute of Navigation, It is available free in printed www.nautinst.org/NavInspire