Designing to Deal with Fatigue
The nature of the north-west European short sea tanker trade is such that ship operators and sea staff are continually challenged to ensure that fatigue is effectively managed. Clearly that involves careful planning of watchkeeping routines and working practices....
The nature of the north-west European short sea tanker trade is such that ship operators and sea staff are continually challenged to ensure that fatigue is effectively managed. Clearly that involves careful planning of watchkeeping routines and working practices, and a management structure that is sufficiently flexible to adapt to changing circumstances - ultimately allowing the vessel to be temporarily suspended from service to afford seastaff the opportunity to be properly rested.
The management of hours of work may well be the most critical element in mitigating fatigue, but there is a significant importance at the design and construction stages of a vessel which can produce a lifelong benefit to the onboard welfare of the crew. The penalty for failure to take proper account of crew wellbeing within the design concept is to create an inherent and irrevocable contribution to the underlying cause of fatigue.
It was at the conceptual stage of design for our Speciality class of vessels, that we recognised the importance of adopting an holistic approach to the combined effects on the seafarer of the onboard working environment and the quality of life potentially available to seafarers when off duty. This included comprehensive consultation with seastaff.
Although many of the factors incorporat- ed within the design were for primarily commercial or technical purposes, there has been an undeniably positive effect on seafarer fatigue. For example, the provision of a fully remote-controlled cargo and ballast system dramatically reduces the duration of exposure to a potentially harsh external working environment, and the automation of many previously manual tasks has reduced the physical workload expected of seafarers.
Significant attention has been given to minimising noise and vibration, by analysing all specified equipment and their methods of installation to ensure that, wherever possible, noise and vibration were eliminated at source. Electrical systems controlled by frequency converters replace high pressure hydraulics, and significant noise attenuation measures were introduced to minimise the impact of fans, exhausts, electrical generation and propulsion systems etc. The result is an exceptionally quiet vessel with virtually no vibration, particularly within the accommodation spaces.
Additionally, the overall design of the vessel has resulted in a very stable platform that performs well even in the worst of sea conditions thereby reducing the effects of motion related fatigue.
Within the accommodation, great care has been taken to ensure that the highest possible standards of comfort are provided to seastaff. Large panoramic windows give the impression of space and freedom. The messroom is far larger and better appointed than would be expected for such a vessel, and the dining arrange- ments encourage interaction, integration and a sense of both professional and social teamwork and cooperation. Individual cabin temperature controls, and 'soft' lighting in cabins and common rooms provide a comfortable and relaxing 'feel' to the accommodation.
In all, the Speciality class provides for seafarers an environment that has been engineered to provide the best possible opportunity for the effective management of fatigue.