Features

Not all documents have the same complexity. Navatom supports three distinct manual types — Simple (PDF) for single-file uploads like third-party reference documents, Comprehensive (Company) for structured multi-chapter manuals with section-level version control, and Third Party for external document libraries that need tracking without internal editing.

Simple manuals are uploaded as a single PDF and distributed as-is. Comprehensive manuals unlock the full hierarchical editor with chapters, sections, subsections, approval workflows, and collaborative editing. Third Party manuals provide a controlled repository for vendor documentation, classification society guidelines, and regulatory publications.

Organize complex manuals with a four-level hierarchy — Manual, Chapter, Section, and Subsection. Each chapter contains ordered sections; each section can nest subsections. Custom ordering labels let you follow your organization's numbering scheme (1.2.3.a) rather than forcing a flat structure.

Chapters and sections can be created, moved, and reordered without disrupting the version history of their content. The table of contents is generated automatically and updates in real time as sections are added, moved, or deprecated. Print the full table of contents or any chapter's section list as a formatted PDF.

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.

Multiple authors can work on the same section simultaneously with real-time visibility of each other's changes. Two collaboration modes adapt to different working styles: Fast Mode shows every keystroke from co-authors in real time, while Strict Mode locks the paragraph each author is editing to prevent conflicts on critical documents.

Each collaborator's cursor and selections are visible in the editor with user attribution. An in-editor comment thread lets co-authors discuss changes without switching contexts. The system tracks who wrote what, when — every modification is attributed to a specific user for full accountability.

Every section version follows a controlled lifecycle through seven stages — Draft, Waiting for Approval, Completed, Rejected, Released, Revised, and Deprecated. Only Released content is visible to crews on vessels. The lifecycle enforces that every change goes through review before reaching ship personnel.

Draft versions can be edited freely by authors. When ready, the draft is sent for approval, moving to Waiting for Approval status. Reviewers can approve (Completed → Released) or reject (back to Draft with feedback). Released content can be revised, creating a new draft while the current version remains active. Deprecated versions are archived but never deleted.

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.

Every section maintains a complete version history with numbered versions, release timestamps, author attribution, and release notes. Browse any previous version, compare changes between versions, and understand the evolution of every document in your safety management system.

Release notes document the rationale behind each revision — not just what changed, but why. Version numbers increment automatically on each release. The full history chain from first draft to current release is preserved permanently, providing the documentary evidence that ISM auditors require.

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.

Control which manual sections are visible to each vessel in your fleet. Visibility can be set at the manual level (which ships can access the manual) and at the section level (which ships see specific sections within a manual). This ensures tanker-specific procedures don't appear on bulk carriers, and vice versa.

When a manual is published, the system generates ship-specific views that include only the sections each vessel is authorized to see. Visibility changes take effect immediately through the synchronization pipeline without requiring a full manual republish.

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.

Add threaded comments to any section for collaborative review and feedback. Comments support replies, edits, and deletion — creating a structured discussion thread attached to the specific content being discussed. Comment threads persist across draft versions for continuity.

Use comments during the approval process to provide specific feedback on content, request clarifications, or document review decisions. Comment history is preserved as part of the section's audit trail, providing evidence of the review process for compliance auditors.

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.

Export any manual as a formatted PDF document with a single click. The export includes the table of contents, chapter structure, and all section content — formatted for printing, archival, or submission to classification societies and regulatory authorities.

The One-PDF feature consolidates an entire manual into a single PDF per ship, including only the sections visible to that specific vessel. This ship-specific PDF can be stored onboard for offline reference, printed for bridge use, or submitted during port state control inspections.

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.

Control document access with granular permission levels — view-only, comment-only, review, edit, and full creator permissions. Restrict copying, downloading, and printing of sensitive documents. Digital watermarking tracks document origin and prevents unauthorized distribution.

All document editing sessions are secured with JWT authentication and encrypted data transfer. Permission settings are enforced both in the editor and at the API level, ensuring that access controls cannot be bypassed. AES-256 encryption protects sensitive operational documents in storage.

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.

Monitor your document management program with three dedicated dashboard widgets — Section Completion Rate tracks what percentage of assigned sections have been read by crews, Average Reading Time measures engagement with each section, and Approval Queue Depth shows how many sections are waiting for reviewer attention.

Dashboard metrics aggregate across your entire fleet, with drill-down capability to individual vessels, manuals, and sections. Identify which manuals have the lowest completion rates, which sections take the longest to read, and where approval bottlenecks are slowing publication. Use the data to continuously improve your documentation program.

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.