Calling for action in response to the findings of the Project Horizon research
Nautilus has written to the heads of the International Maritime Organisation and the European Commission’s transport directorate calling for action in response to the findings of the Project Horizon research into seafarer fatigue.
The EU-funded study made extensive use of simulators to investigate the way in which actual working patterns affect the performance and sleepiness levels of watchkeepers. It found that as many as 45% of officers fell asleep while on watch in six-on/six-off rotas.
General secretary Mark Dickinson told the IMO secretary-general Koji Sekimizu and EU transport director Fotis Karamitsos that the findings of the study had yielded ‘robust’ scientifically valid results that need a serious and urgent response.
The research – which had been undertaken by some of the world’s leading experts on fatigue – had ‘starkly illustrated the impact of sleepiness on decision-making, reaction times and other key elements of seafarers’ performance,’ Mr Dickinson told them.
‘We believe it is essential that these findings are not ignored and that the industry consensus which delivered this research can be developed further to ensure that positive action is taken as a result,’ he added.
Nautilus is urging the IMO and the European Commission to look at ways of adopting the ‘fatigue management toolkit’ developed as part of the Project Horizon research to help seafarers, owners, managers and regulators to arrange working schedules that minimise the risk of sleepiness.
Source: Nautilus International
