"Horizon” Research Project
This EU sponsored research project is a joint venture between Warsash Maritime Academy (Southampton Solent University), Chalmers Tekniska Hoegskola AB (Dept of Shipping and Marine Technology (Sweden), the Stress Research Institute of Stockholm University, together with 8 other participant companies and authorities.
Background to these trials
There are increasing concerns over human safety, environmental damage and commercial loss due to watch officer fatigue. The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation branch (MAIB) report entitled “Bridge Watchkeeping Safety Study (2004)” cites fatigue as a major causal factor in collisions and groundings. There is however, very little information about how the watch patterns for instance, 6on – 6off and 4on - 8off have an influence on watchkeeper performance.
In this research project we want to study how different watch systems influence the level of fatigue on both deck and engine room watchkeeping officers. We will do this by placing both sets of watchkeepers in bridge, liquid cargo and engine room simulators operating in north European waters over a 7 day 24 hour period, at sea and in port. Different watch keeping patterns will be used in the study.
What participation means
We are seeking the cooperation and participation of certificated Second and Third deck officers and Third and Fourth engine room watchkeeping officers presently serving at sea with a background knowledge of loading / discharging oil cargoes and a minimum of 12 months watch keeping sea time on tankers. Volunteers will be asked to come to Warsash Maritime Academy, near Southampton in the south of England, for a period of 8 days, joining on a Saturday and returning home after rest on the Sunday or Monday week. They will be paid for taking part in the project, and travel expenses to and from Warsash will be met. They will be accommodated and provided with meals, free of charge, on the Warsash site. All information given during their stay at Warsash and the actions taken whilst on and off watch will remain confidential to the project researchers.
Voyage scenarios, enacted in the simulators, have been designed that will allow for the observation of the watchkeeping officers. Data collected from these scenarios will be analysed to determine the effects of fatigue on the cognitive performance of the watchkeepers.
Time plan
This 2½ year research project started in June 2009, and we are at present looking for deck and engine room certificated watchkeeping officers, who would normally be sailing as Second or Third officer / Third or Fourth engineer, to take part in this reseach by coming to Warsash on one of the following dates in 2010:
08 May
17 July
11 September
02 October
30 October
04 December
Plus three further dates in 2011.
Participation in this research project
Participation is voluntary and this research project is carried out under the Ethics policy of the Southampton Solent University.
Do you want to know more?
Visit http://portal-live.solent.ac.uk/university/horizon/horizonhome.aspx|
or please contact:
Annette Dymond
Phone +44 (0) 1489 556184
E-mail: annette.dymond@solent.ac.uk|
Professor Mike Barnett
E-mail: Mike.Barnett@solent.ac.uk|