seafarer fatigue

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The Causes and Mitigation of Fatigue

The speaker at the Hong Kong branch in March was our Hon. Sec., Donal Keaney AFNI MICS.

Donal is a Master Mariner with a B.Sc. in Nautical Science and M.Sc. in Maritime Operations.

He sailed with Maersk, Irish Ferries and Carnival UK before he came ashore as a ship manager.

He also lectured at Liverpool John Moores University and worked as a shipbroker before being appointed Admiralty Manager at RPC, where he is now based in their busy Hong Kong office.

As a student, Donal Keaney wrote two dissertations on seafarer fatigue, and it is a subject about which he is still passionate – a fact clearly demonstrated by his appearance at the branch on St. Patrick’s Day, when the vast majority of his compatriots were celebrating in a more traditional manner.

More than 30 members and guests gathered to hear him speak, and they were not disappointed. His talk was expertly balanced to be stimulating for mariners who have a good knowledge of the topic, whilst remaining accessible to the landlubbers in the audience.

Beginning with a description of fatigue as found in IMO MSC/Circ/1014: "

A state of feeling tired, weary, or sleepy that results from prolonged mental or physical work, extended periods of anxiety, exposure to harsh environments, or
loss of sleep"

,

Donal discussed in detail the major causes of seafarer fatigue.

He considered the effect of long working hours, extended tours of duty, the rigours of some older engine rooms and the tedium of bridge watchkeeping on extended ocean passages. To these he added the anxiety of long separation from friends and family, the potentially disastrous effects of domestic problems and the stress of keeping a watch in areas of high traffic.

He then considered the physical demands of standing, working or moving in heavy weather and the potential loss of sleep from constant shipboard noise and vibration, pointing out that even when you get to bed in rough seas, it is difficult to sleep.

The speaker also mentioned the effects of health, fitness, diet, age and psychological factors, although these were not discussed in depth.

The consequences of fatigue can be collisions, groundings and an increased likelihood of accidents such as trips and falls. As a case study, he drew our attention to a bulk carrier which grounded on the Great Barrier Reef. The Chief Officer, who was on watch at the time, had managed only 2.5 hours sleep in the 38.5 hours preceding the grounding.

Donal then analysed the mandated rest periods under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and asked whether they are sufficient to prevent fatigue? The general consensus was that they are not!

Pointing out that ‘rest’ is not necessarily sleep, but includes the time mariners spend on personal tasks and recreation, he described what constitutes good quality sleep and stressed the importance of the biological clock and circadian rhythms.

Reducing fatigue reduces the risk of casualties and accidents and improves productivity, but it can only be achieved with proactive onboard management. Donal dislikes traditional ‘six on, six off’ watchkeeping, and described alternatives which he has experienced and which he claims are much less likely to lead to fatigue. Crews need to be educated in good time management, and must be encouraged to report any instances of non-compliance. Where necessary, masters should also consider arranging to take vessels out of service for a few hours to avoid the crew becoming fatigued, but we all know this does not happen and it is more likely that the crew will simply falsify their rest hour records and carry on.