The shipping association InterManager has [ds_preview]published the findings of its fatigue study and calls the industry for a better understanding and increased activity to solve the problem.
The trade association for in-house and third party ship managers, together with The Warsash Maritime Academy, yesterday presented the results of the Project »Martha« to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London. Kuba Szymanski, Secretary-General of InterManager urged the maritime industry to take notice of the findings as the industry recruits aspiring seafarers. The report highlights growing levels of fatigue, particularly among Masters and Watch Keepers, and noted that motivation was a major factor in fatigue experienced by seafarers.
Addressing IMO delegates, Szymanski said: »I sincerely hope the results of our research will be read and acted upon by ship managers and ship owners who will go on to revise their attitudes and procedures. There are a number of ‘low hanging fruits‘ which, with a little adjustment, could make a big difference. These are not necessarily costly changes – such as having seafarers relieved on time and organising work onboard with humans and not regulations in mind and engaging sea staff in decisions – but empowering seafarers to take care of their lives more than it is today.«
He criticized that the industry is demanding more from current seafarers rather than recruiting even more cadets into the market. »Attracting new seafarers and retaining them will test the industry, but we cannot ignore these findings in making the industry an attractive place for aspiring seafarers«, the Secretary General added.
Findings of fatigue study
According to InterManager, the project found a number of reasons for how a Master’s role differed from that of other crew members, including that Masters have more weekly work hours, feel that work in port is less demanding than work at sea, are far more fatigued at the end of a contract, are slightly more overweight compared to others onboard and suffer from mental fatigue, compared to physical fatigue suffered by other seafarers.
The study found as well, that seafarers pointed out that not being relieved on time was having an effect on motivation and that 48.6% of participants felt stress was higher at the end of a voyage and sleepiness levels vary little during the voyage, suggesting there are opportunities for recovery while onboard.
The cultural differences Project »Martha« sought to examine threw up a clear divides between European and Chinese seafarers: Thus, European seafarers worked fewer hours than their Chinese colleagues – Chinese seafarers on dry bulk carriers worked an average of 15.11 hours a day compared to European seafarers who worked an average 10.23 hours a day – and therefore there is evidence of higher levels of fatigue and stress in Chinese seafarers, rather than European seafarers.
