In this paper the ship is treated as an information handling and processing system with a variety of information sources, sinks and processing areas both internal and external. Information flows and is processed in a variety of patterns depending on a number of variables. These include the proximity of other ships, the shore or the sea bed, the state of the weather, whether it is day or night and whether the ship is at sea or in port.

The author wishes to thank the Science Research Council for help in funding this study and also many industries and organizations for their assistance.