Aims & objectives

The RIN has three main aims:

  • To unite all those with a professional or personal interest in any aspect of navigation in one unique body
  • To further the development of navigation in every sphere
  • And to increase public awareness of both the art and science of navigation, how it has shaped the past, how it impacts our world today, and how it will affect the future.

Activities

In order to achieve its aims, the RIN runs a number of activities.

It publishes the world-renowned Journal of Navigation three times a year, and from January 2008, this will become a quarterly publication. This first-rate academic journal is used in universities and by research scientists around the globe, allowing the community of navigation research to read the best in new science in all areas of navigation. Members of the Institute can access an archive of papers published in the Journal online, and soon, this will be a complete archive, stretching back to the Instituteís beginnings in 1947. The full archive up to 1995 is also available for sale as a DVD-ROM.

The Institute also publishes a bimonthly magazine for members, Navigation News. This full-colour magazine strikes a balance between a professional and a poplar readership, with exciting and topical features as well as the latest news both from the RIN and from around the navigation world. Members can also access an archive of Navigation News issues online.

The RIN runs two main series of conferences; the NAV and EURNAV series, which is commercially-orientated and brings together the biggest and the smallest players in the navigation industry, often around a hot topic or theme, and the RIN series, which aims to bring together individual members from across the many spheres of navigation. Members ñ both corporate and individual, get reduced rates on tickets to these conferences. In addition, the RIN is a regular presence at many European events and conferences held by other organisations. Our Special Interest Groups and Branches also run very popular events of their own to broaden membersí knowledge on topics of particular navigation interest.

We also work in and with other Institutes of Navigation and organisations throughout Europe and the world, to raise the profile of navigation issues on the international agenda.
The RIN is a founder member of the International Association of Institutesí of Navigation (IAIN), and works closely with the European Group of Institutes of Navigation (EUGIN), as well as other leading bodies like the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The RIN aims to promote interest, research and application of navigation techniques to people of all ages. So we run annual competitions for aviators and mariners (TopNav and Oceanic respectively), hold a one-day seminar for students working in the navigation field (New Navigators), and have historically run a competition for school children each year. This is set to return in the near future in a brand new format.

And RIN HQ holds the Cundall Library of Navigation - one of the UKís leading navigation libraries. Currently undergoing a review to ensure it is of maximum use to visitors, the library is open to members and the public during office hours.