Project to streamline the navigation certification process for Royal Navy warships extended

The Navigation As A Service (NAAS) project led by the Navigation and Seamanship team at BMT has been extended after an initial two-year contract.

The NAAS project provides navigation submissions for certification, horizon scanning and the associated future impact as well as specialist Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel (SQEP) advice to eleven classes of Royal Navy warship. Navigation submissions are required by Platform Authorities (PAs) to prove that their class of ship is navigationally safe to operate. Internal certification is required before the PAs submit to the Naval Authority and Technology Group to achieve certification showing that the class is safe. The idea originated from the first Dragons’ Den event in 2021 and was set up through EDP following the Aurora-driven innovation approach. The forward-looking approach delivered by BMT ensures consistency and efficiency for the PAs and results in significant cost savings (38% to date over the two years). A close liaison between BMT and PAs ensures that the required details are provided and that ships visits to validate information are seamlessly organised. This enables the presentation of navigation information in the requisite format for certification, reducing the burden on the PAs and guaranteeing a high level of safety assurance. During the first two years, 22 submissions and eight horizon scanning reports have been delivered.

Throughout the first two years of the project one additional class - currently in build - has joined the NAAS framework and as we move the project into maintaining the submissions as live documentation and the provision of advice for the rectification of gaps in certification, the Communications and Situational Awareness Equipment Authority are in the process of joining, ensuring an aligned approach for future equipment challenges. The project has now been extended, providing steady state navigation support, and enabling further cost savings to be realised.

Paul Smith, Master Mariner and Group Lead for Navigation in DE&S Maritime, commented:

“Together we are delighted to have streamlined the navigation certification
process, and I look forward to continuing to work with BMT to realise further cost
savings whilst addressing the identified areas for development.”

Toby Drywood, Senior Sales Manager at BMT, commented:

“This is great news for our Naval Architecture capability. As a growth area for BMT, this demonstrates the value we have delivered and provides a positive springboard for future work in this area. I am delighted with the team for building the relationship and respect with our customer and look forward to witnessing what else we can achieve moving forwards.”