# Sensing in Inland Waters to Promote Safe Navigation: A Case Study in the Aveiro's Lagoon
## 4 Survey and in-Context Interviews
### End-User Validation of the Meteo-Oceanographic Data-Sharing Concept: Survey and Interview Results  
Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were the chosen methods to support these evaluation sessions, since they could enrich the research [98]:  
* The interviews allowed the sailors to identify relevant data to be shared within the system, and facilitated an open a debate, resulting in a set of UI designs that could be integrated into the maritime data sharing system;
* The questionnaires aimed to identify participants' characteristics (e.g., navigator's license, sailing frequency, onboard electronics) and opinions about the functional requirements of the maritime data-sharing system. The participants in this study spanned a diverse age range (Figure 11), reflecting the multifaceted nature of the maritime community. The age distribution underscores the inclusivity of the study sample, encompassing both seasoned sailors (e.g., leisure) and those embarking on more complex maritime journeys. However, it can be seen that there is a greater concentration of people aged over 36. The age diversity enriches this research, allowing us to understand the challenges and experiences faced by sailors across different life stages. Figure 12 illustrates their licensing credentials. The chart displays the licenses held by the participants: two participants (n = 2) did not have a license, four (n = 4) held an ocean skipper license, three (n = 3) held a coastal skipper license, nine (n = 9) held a local skipper license, and three (n = 3) held a day skipper license. These licenses provided this study with information about their maritime ability. Each category represents a distinct level of nautical competence, acquired through training, experience, and adherence to safety protocols. The diversity of licenses reflects the varied roles these individuals play within the maritime ecosystem. The study spreads to vessel ownership and electronic instrumentation. These aspects significantly influence the operational capabilities and safety practices of sailors. It is important to note that out of these participants, two did not have their own vessel (n = 2), eight participants (n = 8) did not have electronic instrumentation on their vessel, and only nine participants had instrumentation (n = 9). The dichotomy between vessel owners and non-owners sheds light on resource access, responsibilities, and the ability to engage in independent journeys. While some participants rely on shared vessels or charters, others enjoy the autonomy of their craft. Notably, those participants who do not possess their own vessels are, in fact, maritime professionals within the merchant navy. Electronic instrumentation--such as GPS, radar, and communication devices--plays a pivotal role in modern navigation. This analysis explores the electronic instruments most employed by the participants--participants had the option to select multiple instruments. The survey revealed the most used electronic instruments among the participants: depth sonder (n = 9), GPS (n = 5), radar (n = 4), and AIS (n = 4). The following chart (Figure 13) emerged from their responses. Figure 11: Participants’ age range. Figure 12: Participants’ boat credentials. The prevalence of electronic instruments among these participants underscores their adaptability to technological advancements. However, the presence of non-instrumented vessels highlights the need for continued education and awareness regarding safety practices. Nonetheless, some participants expressed concerns about the limitations of existing instruments, particularly for accessing information during maritime journeys. These insights highlight the need to address usability issues and technological obsolescence (n = 5) to improve safety and efficiency in maritime operations. Figure 14 displays the feedback that highlights the significance of sharing meteorological and oceanographic data between vessels.