Research and reports on fatigue at sea
Here you will find materials and reports from research projects that highlight factors that can cause fatigue in seafarers, and measures that can help reduce the risk of fatigue.
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The Horizon Research Project engaged some of Europe's foremost experts in fatigue and stress. The project examined the assertion that fatigue and mental exhaustion hinder officers' decision-making capabilities. Additionally, it explored how the structure of watch systems influences crew fatigue. The project has led to recommendations and guidelines for enhancing onboard rest procedures, along with tools that maritime operators can utilize to mitigate fatigue.
Inroduction to the Horizon Research Project (pdf)
The initial report with recommendations (pdf)
The final research report with conclusions and recommenations (pdf)
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Seafarer Fatigue is a research project based on field work, survey questionnaires, and analyses of databases of injury and accident histories, carried out by Andy Smith, Paul Allen and Emma Wadsworth at Cardiff University. In the project report and a separate film, the factors that make seafarers especially vulnerable to fatigue are illuminated. Insufficient sleep, poor working environment, high job demands, and stressful work can cause an individual to experience fatigue aboard. The consequences include an increased risk of accidents at sea, as well as psychological and physical overload for the individual.
Report - Seafarer Fatigue: The Cardiff Research Programme.pdf
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“Fatigue at Sea” is a Swedish field study from 2007 based on interviews and field observations in 13 Swedish shipping companies and with 30 experienced officers on various merchant ships. The study was carried out by master mariner and PhD Margareta Lützhöft, who placed particular emphasis on collecting and analysing data regarding fatigue, stress, and reaction times in the widespread two‑watch and three‑watch systems. The study shows that there is a relationship between the watch system, reaction time, and health condition, and that fatigue at sea is a burden for the individual and at the same time poses a risk to maritime safety. “Fatigue at Sea” was conducted on behalf of the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI).
Report "Fatigue at sea" - A Field Study in Swedish Shipping. (pdf)
Brochure "Fatigue at Sea" - Recommendations to seafarers" (pdf)
Result and recommendations for managing fatigue in watch systems onboard (pdf)
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Work/rest regulations are critical in mitigating fatigue at sea. This report from World Maritime University offers a quantitative overview of the implementation of work/rest regulations from seafarers’ perspectives. With this report, all stakeholders will gain an empirically-informed understanding of the extent of the issues related to the implementation of work/rest regulations. Ultimately, the study will support policy interventions to mitigate the fatigue risk at sea.
Quantifying an inconvenient truth : revisiting a culture of adjustment on work/rest hours