IMO has geared itself to revise its seafarer fatigue guidance as it digests the results of a three-year study into the long-term effects of tiredness on the crew. Last week, IMO’s human element, training and watchkeeping sub-committee met in London to discuss the results of the Martha project, which found seafarers suffer from increasing levels of fatigue and stress.
Three year study: Key parameters monitored
The three-year study used activity-recording watches, Actiwatches, which collected data on crew fatigue levels, sleep patterns and psychological well being. This technique
helped researchers to conduct actigraphy analysis and create a seafarer
database.
Ill effects of fatigue:
Researchers have found that fatigue can result in long-term physical and mental health
issues. Seafarer motivation decreases gradually over the length of the voyage
and night watch keepers get significantly less sleep than others on board. The
actigraphy analysis demonstrated how the overall amount of sleep decreases over
time on board, and how the quality of sleep, as measured through disturbances
to sleep, increase longer as the crew members are on board.
The Martha project was coordinated by researchers at Warsash Maritime Academy, part of Southampton Solent University, and partners from Sweden, Denmark, China and the
UK. The next phase of the research should centre findings on individual mood,
team working and social cohesion, all of which appear to deteriorate after about
six months on the ship.
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Source: Marine Electronics & Communications
