Fatigue is a hazard that affects safety, health and well-being. A long-term fatigue may result in health disorders (physical and mental), insidious onset, persists over time, multi-factor causes, significantly affects behavior and wellbeing.
It is almost 12 years since the bulk carrier ‘Pasha Bulker’ came out at the Nobbys Beach of New South Wales offering an unusual spectacle for local people. The incident is an interesting case study of inadequate communication, inefficient SMS, poor judgement due to fatigue and the objective cause of extreme weather conditions.
NTSB issued a report on the collision of the bulk carrier ‘Yochow’ with the articulated tug and barge ‘OSG Independence’ in the Houston Ship Channel, in June 2018. The report highlights poor bridge resource management as key cause of the accident and fatigue as a significant contributing factor.
LR announced the launching of its LR SafetyScanner, which combines applied data science and artificial intelligence to improve health, safety and environmental managers see beyond practices, gain greater insights and move to adopting leading-edge systems, ready for the 21st century.
UK Human Rights at Sea published a third Abandonment of Seafarers Case Study, on behalf of Indian seafarer AB Mayur Gawade. The publication follows the case study on behalf of Captain Ayyappan Swaminathan, Master of the MV Azraqmoiah and the case study concerning the abundance of the eight Indian seafarers in Walvis Bay.
Analysis of AMSA’s Port State Control data indicated that there were 896 maintenance-related deficiencies issued in 2017 and 708 in 2018. This amount represents 13% of the overall deficiencies during 2017-18. A recent study which included 1026 seafarers, identified that over 20% of seafarers reported working more than 69 hours per week with unpredictable working hours.
“Kick your bad mental habits and toughen yourself up!” This is Amy Morin’s motto, author of “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do.” In this SAFETY4SEA article we narrow them down in 10 dos and don’ts after having already broached the matter of difficult co-workers and how they drain us of the mental strength we need, in previous Opinion Article. How do we therefore face toxic coworkers rationally and keep our feelings in check?
The revised guidelines, which were approved during MSC 100, are composed of six modules. Module 1 contains general information on fatigue while the remaining tackle with fatigue in relation to the company, seafarer, awareness and training, ship design, Administration and Port State Authorities.
15% of deaths at sea are by suicide. The key question to ask when shocking tragedies onboard come to light is this: do they signify social isolation? And, what leads to seafarers’ social isolation? Recent SAFETY4SEA Poll finds that seafarers want their work to be less stressful. Increased workload and the subsequent fatigue were reported the biggest obstacles for social life onboard gathering 38% of our readers’ votes, surpassing other “barriers” like isolation from family (10%), connectivity (19%); bureaucracy (17%) and team bonding (16%).
The US National Transportation Safety Board announced its 2019 – 2020 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements, during an event held at the National Press Club, on February 4. The list includes 10 improvements, of which two regard shipping as well: eliminate distractions; and reduce fatigue-related accidents.
