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Vol 71, No 4 (2020)
Original article
Submitted: 2020-08-10
Accepted: 2020-09-24
Published online: 2020-12-30
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Poor sleep quality, long working hours and fatigue in coastal areas: a dangerous combination of silent risk factors for deck officers on oil tankers

Farhad Azimi Yancheshmeh1, S. Hossain Mousavizadegan1, Amin Amini1, Andrew P. Smith2, Reza Kazemi3
DOI: 10.5603/IMH.2020.0042
·
Pubmed: 33394488
·
IMH 2020;71(4):237-248.
Affiliations
  1. Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
  2. Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
  3. Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran

open access

Vol 71, No 4 (2020)
MARITIME MEDICINE Original article
Submitted: 2020-08-10
Accepted: 2020-09-24
Published online: 2020-12-30

Abstract

Background: The high number of marine incidents in port and coastal areas due to the tired deck officers’ erroneous actions are one of the major challenges of marine transportation. Approaching, berthing, and cargo handling (ABC) are the most stressful and exhausting operations of the ship in these areas, which are carried out consecutively and uninterruptedly.

Materials and methods: This study examined Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) performance, Arrow Flanker Task performance and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) of 70 deck officers of ocean-going oil tankers with 4on–8off shifts at the end of the first shift of cargo-handling operations. In this case, they had worked more than 14 hours continuously. Also, their level of sleepiness was assessed using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) at the beginning, middle, and end of their first shift of handling operation. Results: The results were analysed according to the duration at sea and deck officers rank. PSQI, KSS, PVT mean reaction times and lapses, and also Flanker’s variables were higher among the chief and second officers who were present on board between 0–30 days. The state of officers who were present on board between 31 to 60 days was better than the officers with 0–30 and 61–90 days’ duration at sea. In addition, the results show that sleep quality during tour of duty affects cognitive performance and sleepiness of officers during cargo handling operations. Conclusions: The paper concludes by discussing possible solutions for reducing fatigue and human error among seafarers.

Abstract

Background: The high number of marine incidents in port and coastal areas due to the tired deck officers’ erroneous actions are one of the major challenges of marine transportation. Approaching, berthing, and cargo handling (ABC) are the most stressful and exhausting operations of the ship in these areas, which are carried out consecutively and uninterruptedly.

Materials and methods: This study examined Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) performance, Arrow Flanker Task performance and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) of 70 deck officers of ocean-going oil tankers with 4on–8off shifts at the end of the first shift of cargo-handling operations. In this case, they had worked more than 14 hours continuously. Also, their level of sleepiness was assessed using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) at the beginning, middle, and end of their first shift of handling operation. Results: The results were analysed according to the duration at sea and deck officers rank. PSQI, KSS, PVT mean reaction times and lapses, and also Flanker’s variables were higher among the chief and second officers who were present on board between 0–30 days. The state of officers who were present on board between 31 to 60 days was better than the officers with 0–30 and 61–90 days’ duration at sea. In addition, the results show that sleep quality during tour of duty affects cognitive performance and sleepiness of officers during cargo handling operations. Conclusions: The paper concludes by discussing possible solutions for reducing fatigue and human error among seafarers.

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Keywords

deck officers; fatigue; cognitive performance; sleepiness; sleep quality; approaching; berthing; cargo handling operation; oil tankers

About this article
Title

Poor sleep quality, long working hours and fatigue in coastal areas: a dangerous combination of silent risk factors for deck officers on oil tankers

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 71, No 4 (2020)

Article type

Original article

Pages

237-248

Published online

2020-12-30

Page views

1550

Article views/downloads

1135

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2020.0042

Pubmed

33394488

Bibliographic record

IMH 2020;71(4):237-248.

Keywords

deck officers
fatigue
cognitive performance
sleepiness
sleep quality
approaching
berthing
cargo handling operation
oil tankers

Authors

Farhad Azimi Yancheshmeh
S. Hossain Mousavizadegan
Amin Amini
Andrew P. Smith
Reza Kazemi

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