The real-time maneuvering information support system based on the passage planning system was installed into the shiphandling simulator. A display image of the real-time maneuvering information support system is shown in Fig. 18. The system equipped in the shiphandling simulator is shown in Photo 2.

　

 Using this real-time maneuvering information support system, the navigators can get her automatic planned passage, her current position, her current deviation from the current course, positions and distances of the way points and next maneuvering orders by means of a quick glance at the display of the system.

　

7.1 On the passage plan

　

 In order to verify the passage planning system, the plans generated by the system had been compared with the plans of expert mariners. Fig. 19 shows the planned routes of three expert mariners and the system. The black thick line with passages is the automatic planned route of the system and the gray colored lines are the planned route of the experts. Fundamental difference between them is not found. Fig. 20 shows the chain of elemental maneuvers which was planned by the experts. Fig. 21 is the chain of elemental maneuvers which was automatically generated by the system. Comparing Fig. 20 with Fig. 21, their deceleration orders and their positions to order are almost same. The passage plans generated by the system is generally accepted by simulator testees as expert mariners.

　

7.2 On the system with the real-time maneuvering information support

　

 In order to verify appropriateness of the generated plans and usefulness of the system, simulator experiments with the real-time maneuvering information support system were executed.

　

 Fig.22 shows simulator experimental results, which are the tracks, the telegraph orders, the speed and the rudders, using the real-time maneuvering information support system. Fig. 23 is the simulator experimental results without the real-time maneuvering information support system. Comparing Fig. 22 with Fig. 23, it is clear that experimental results using the support system shows better tracking performances than that of no support system. There is no large rudder angle more 25 degrees in Fig. 22. But large rudder angles more than 25 degrees are found in Fig.23.

　

 The passage planning system with the real-time maneuvering information support system can provide effective and appropriate support for the navigator under operation. It is considered that the passage planning system with the real-time maneuvering information support system is useful to maneuver the vessel more safely.