Tag: fatigue

Eight Indian seafarers have been abandoned in Walvis Bay, between the timeframe of one and two years, onboard the St. Vincent and Grenadines-flagged vessel, Halani 1. The abandonment resulted to seafarers' suffering from fatigue and serious mental health problems. As a result, the UK-based Charity 'Human Rights at Sea' stated that Captain Amarjit Singh Bajwa first contacted the charity’s Iran-based researcher, Hajar Hejazi, to appeal for urgent help.

Hong Kong's Marine Department held the Navigational Safety Seminar 2019 on January 16, to enhance the awareness of navigational safety among members of the industry. The Deputy Director of Marine, Mr Wong Sai-fat, reminded coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels that they have the responsibility to uphold safety at sea and fully comply with the marine legislation.

IMO's MSC 100 approved revised guidelines on fatigue, which provide comprehensive information on the causes and consequences of fatigue, and the risks it poses to the safety and health of seafarers, operational safety, security and protection of the marine environment. The aim is to assist all stakeholders to contribute to the mitigation and management of fatigue.

IMO MSC 100 completed its milestone 100th session on 7 December. MSC 100 had a busy agenda encompassing maritime autonomous surface ships, fatigue guidance for seafarers, polar shipping, goal-based standards and of course the 2020 sulphur cap.

The ITF issued a report investigating the relationship between captains’ fatigue and the operational safety of the Panama Canal, and the relationship between fatigue and the captains’ physical and mental health, after the Panama Canal's decision to reduce the number of tugboat crew this year.

The NTSB issued its 'Safer Seas' annual report providing an overview of key lessons to be learned from the most major maritime casualties, noting that many of the issues noted in last year's reports were recurring topics, such as fatigue, poor bridge resource management, and distraction. The 41 marine accidents resulted in loss of life, injuries, and significant property damage.

The grounding of the Liberian-flagged container ship ‘Rena’ on the Astrolabe Reef resulted in a 200 tonnes HFO discharge into the water, while it is acclaimed as the second most expensive salvage operation in maritime history.

The American Waterways Operators released a new safety guide as the latest milestone in its two-decade effort to reduce the risk of fatigue-related accidents in the towing industry, working in cooperation with the USCG, the National Transportation Safety Board, and international sleep experts. 

The World Health Organisation recognizes World Mental Health Day on October 10th to remind us the importance of awareness in a growing topic for the business world globally. In an era where most working people have less time and more stress, mental health is a big topic and the maritime could not stay unaffected.

Latest MARTHA Fatigue Report revealed that fatigue has safety and long-term physical and mental health implications and long tours of duty (over 6 months) may lead to increased sleepiness, loss of sleep quality, reduced motivation which could contribute to ‘near-misses’ and accidents onboard.