The Integrated Bridge System design was derived by consolidating and integrating communications and displays into a centralized work station and automating certain piloting, navigation, collision avoidance, and logging functions. The evaluation, which commenced on USS McCANDLESS (FF—1084) in January 1977, was designed to collect data in four general areas: 1) manning, 2) operational effectiveness, 3) operational suitability of the equipment in a Navy environment, and 4) detailed design features data required for possible follow—on effortsiIn Bridge designs. The “at—sea” evaluation demonstrated that Bridge watch functions can be performed as effectively or more effectively with significantly fewer people.