Take 10 #41: Managing tiredness and fatigue
Ten ideas to help manage tiredness and fatigue at sea – and how to spot the difference before it’s too late
1 Bad decisions
Even the most well-trained and experienced professional navigator can make bad decisions when impaired by fatigue.
2 Tiredness versus fatigue
All mariners get tired, it is a fact of life at sea. Fatigue is being so tired that you can’t think straight – and even coffee doesn’t help!
3 Watch and learn
Learn to recognise fatigue in yourself (not as easy as it sounds) and recognise it in others.
4 Take action against fatigue
If excessive workloads or fatigue is apparent, develop mitigation methods for yourself and for the crew.
5 You can say ‘No’
Know when to say ‘No’ or alert others to the risks. Also, keep an eye out for opportunities to give others a break where needed.
6 Think ahead
Periods of excessive workloads, distractions or fatigue can often be anticipated, such as port calls, inspections, busy traffic areas, bad weather etc… plan ahead for mitigation.
7 Decision-making matters
The safety of the crew, vessel and environment depends on your ability to make good decisions each and every time. If you suspect degradation of decision-making, take action right away.
8 Be honest
Mariners often feel that they can somehow be super-human, but no-one can do that. Reduced human performance is a safety issue. Be honest when recording your hours of work and raise any issues with your DPA.
9 Change
Ship owners and regulators need to be encouraged to make changes if necessary; however, they must be aware of the situation and have evidence of risks. That means issues must be reported!
10 Look out for each other
Have honest discussions about managing workloads, distractions and fatigue on board. This is a key safety issue and can affect everyone on board from the highest to lowest ranks.