Fatigue and an alternative watch system
In 1998, we decided to institute an Alternative Watch System in our five 32,500 DWT product tankers. This scheme was based on one that had been developed by the West German Ministry for Technology and Research, for the operation of single person bridges.
Fatigue is one of the most significant causes of accidents at sea. Mariners can become fatigued through 'traditional' means, such as lack of sleep, insufficient rest time between work periods or experiencing poor quality of rest. However, they may also become fatigued through excessive work loads, monotonous tasking, excessive noise or vibration as well as ingesting certain types of nutrients and chemicals.
The question then becomes how to mitigate fatigue.
In the case of my company, in 1998, we decided to institute an Alternative Watch System in our five 32,500 DWT product tankers. This scheme was based on one that had been developed by the West German Ministry for Technology and Research, for the operation of single person bridges.
The Alternate Watch System comprises of a series of 2 hour and 6 hour watches. Each person stands one 2 hour watch and one 6 hour watch each day. For example, on a '3 Mate' ship, the Second Mate stands watch from 0001 to 0600 and again from 0800 to 1000 and is off, barring any other onboard operations or overtime work, until 0001 the next day. The Chief Mate stands 0600 to 0800 and 1200 to 1800, and is off until 0600 the next day, while the Third Mate stands 1000 to 1200 and 1800 to 2400 and is off until 1000 the following day.
This scheme allows onboard personnel to work 4 hours overtime each day, while fully complying with the requirements of STCW and the American Oil Pollution Act of 1990. It also allows each person to have enough time off to rest, conduct personal business, etc.
Initially, there was some hesitation, especially from older officers, to start standing these types of watches. This was due, in large part, to the 6-hour watch segment. However, once these individuals actually experienced the benefits of the long, uninterrupted rest period, they quickly adapted to the new system.
The system has been entirely voluntary on the part of the ships' crews. We do not mandate that they work to the Alternate Watch System; however, not one ship has changed back to the traditional 4-on-8- off system.
We have found that the vessel crews fully support the Alternative Watch System and that they report being better rested, have a more 'normal' work experience, and feel that they have enough time off to accomplish their personal tasks without compromising their rest.
It has worked extraordinarily well, and has gone a long way to improving the quality of life onboard our vessels.