Project Title: Human Factors

In 1993 a study was conducted titled Survey of Shipboard Management Training. The study was divided into three parts. The first determined the management and computer skills required by senior licensed officers aboard ship. The second identified training which officers had taken or wished to take in those areas. The last part developed a modular course list to address identified management and computer task requirements.

In 1994 a project entitled Ship Management Training Syllabus resulted in the development of a Ship Management Course based on the outline developed in the previous Management Training project. Three consolidated modules were established: Technical Management, Team Excellence, and Computer Training. Various nationally known vendors were interviewed and their available management or computer materials reviewed in light of established management requirements. A comprehensive syllabus was developed which considered the target audience, length and cost of course, method of presentation, provider, general and specific objectives, and outlines.

Subsequent to the completion of these projects, a number of ship operating companies have selected combinations of the training modules in the Management Training Syllabus and cost effectively trained their shipboard management staff.

A research effort labeled Professional Skills and Knowledge Upgrade, conducted in 1993, identified differences in the performance of on-board duties between U.S. and foreign licensed officers and helped the SOCP focus further research on those characteristics that could enhance competitiveness in the maritime industry.

A parallel objective of this project was the development of an industry-wide performance appraisal system for officers. Better known as the 360 degree performance evaluation method, this appraisal system has now become a standard in many industrial organizations.

In 1994, a project entitled Crew Member Cross Training reviewed a comprehensive list of maintenance and operations duties which may be accomplished by more than one unlicensed crew member aboard a vessel. This matrix of maintenance and operations topics included: electrical and electronic equipment, fire and life saving appliances, pollution prevention and control equipment, navigational aides and equipment, GMDSS, hydraulics, cargo equipment, docking/undocking or mooring/unmooring, and engine room equipment and machinery.

The second portion of the project focused on the prospects of GMDSS implementation and the performance of radio officer's maintenance tasks. This would require other shipboard officers to be cross trained in this capability or the radio officer would need to be cross trained to handle deck or engine tasks.

Ships may be designed well and crew members could have adequate training, yet there will be days that sailors are not physically fit to carry out their duties effectively. This could lead to dangerous situations. An SOCP study was conducted to identify and review current state-of-the-art testing systems, procedures, and applications available for Fitness-for-Duty Testing of personnel prior to beginning watch keeping or other shift type duties.

Work hour limitations were examined in the United States Code and Code of Federal Regulations. Work scheduling practices do not consider performance degradation due to disruption in biological rhythms, sleep loss, fatigue and other factors. In the absence of such consideration, a fitness-for-duty test seems relevant as a guideline for job allocation.

The resultant study identified tests which may be potentially used to successfully screen ship board personnel to determine their fitness-for-duty status.