IPPA planned to advance on existing information technologies, build on existing experience and by taking a modular approach, make the end product an extension of available commercial systems or a stand alone ‘low cost’ option for vessels not covered by the carriage requirements of SOLAS. The project’s desire to build, where possible, on existing work and technology, rather than start everything from scratch, was assisted by the support of the United States Coastguard and the members of both the European and International Maritime Pilots Associations, who offered to help establish a sound baseline from which to start. Initially three demonstrations (Venice, Tromsø and Rotterdam) were planned, to give wide exposure to both pilots and other stakeholders, but this was later reduced to two (Tromsø and Rotterdam).