Manuals

Edit manual sections directly in the browser with a full-featured document editor — no desktop software required. The editor supports rich formatting, tables, images, headers, lists, and page layout controls with the same fidelity as desktop word processors. Documents are saved automatically and continuously.

Every editing session is secured with JWT token authentication and managed through a callback system that handles document persistence, force-save operations, and conflict resolution. The editor runs entirely within the platform — no external services, no file downloads, no version confusion.

Every modification to a section is tracked and classified into one of five revision types — Insertion (new content added), Deletion (content removed), Format Change (formatting modified), Style Definition Change (styles updated), and Moving (content relocated). This classification provides auditors and DPAs with a precise record of what changed between versions.

Track changes markup highlights insertions, deletions, and modifications with user attribution and timestamps. Accept or reject individual changes during the review process. The revision classification drives compliance reporting — showing classification societies exactly what changed in each version and why.

Section drafts move through a structured approval pipeline: authors create and edit drafts, then submit for approval. Designated reviewers evaluate the content and either approve it for release or reject it with feedback. Approved content is released to the fleet; rejected content returns to the author for revision.

The workflow enforces separation of duties — authors cannot self-approve. Approval and rejection actions record the reviewer's identity, timestamp, and comments. The approval queue dashboard widget shows reviewers how many sections await their attention, preventing bottlenecks in the publication pipeline.

Assign manual sections to specific crew members or ranks and track who has read what. The assignment system records which personnel are required to read each section, and the completion tracker confirms when they have done so — with timestamps and acknowledgement records.

Dashboard metrics aggregate completion rates across the fleet, identifying vessels or sections with low read-through rates. Shore management can see at a glance which crews are up to date on critical procedures and which need follow-up. Average reading time analytics help identify sections that may be too long or unclear.

Link related sections across different manuals and chapters with formal internal references. When section A references section B, the system maintains that link through version changes, section moves, and manual reorganizations. Cross-references create a navigable web of interconnected documentation.

Cross-references are particularly valuable for ISM manual structures where safety procedures reference operational manuals, emergency plans reference crew training documents, and maintenance procedures reference equipment specifications. Broken references are detected automatically when sections are deprecated or removed.

Work with documents in over fifty file formats — including DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, ODT, CSV, TXT, and PDF. The built-in conversion engine transforms documents between formats automatically, so your team can upload content in any format and the system handles the rest.

Format conversion happens server-side with full fidelity — tables, images, headers, and formatting are preserved across conversions. Upload a Word document, edit it in the browser, and export as PDF without ever installing desktop software.

Search across all manuals, chapters, and sections with instant full-text search powered by a dedicated search index. Find specific procedures, policy references, or regulatory citations across your entire document library in seconds — regardless of how many manuals and sections your organization maintains.

Search results are ranked by relevance and filtered by manual type, status, and ship assignment. The search index updates in real time as sections are created, modified, or released, ensuring that search results always reflect the latest approved content.

Link manual sections directly to audit checklist items in the Navatom Audit module. When auditors assess compliance with specific ISM Code requirements, they can reference the exact manual section that documents the relevant procedure — creating a direct, traceable link between your safety management system documentation and your audit program.

This integration eliminates the manual cross-referencing that wastes hours during audits. Auditors see which manual sections support each checklist item, and DPAs can verify that every regulatory requirement is covered by approved, current documentation. Changes to linked manual sections automatically flag the associated checklist items for review.