When tiredness takes over – what next?
We all get tired, but fatigue is a very different matter – and drinking coffee does not help! As a seafarer, I have experienced both. I describe fatigue as being so tired that you cannot think straight and often don’t see the whole picture. It is a debilitating and, at times, dangerous situation. We must recognise the symptoms of fatigue in ourselves as well as in others. The consequences of failing to do so can literally be a matter of life and death. It can be hard to speak up, but you need to recognise when it is time to do so
by Captain André LeGoubin mnm ma fni
I can remember as a third mate walking backwards and forwards across the bridge to stay awake. I was so tired I didn’t dare sit down as I knew I would fall asleep. That is the time you must prioritise your tasks. My priority was the safe navigation of the vessel, not catching up on paperwork or the myriad other tasks I had to do. I had to stay awake and keep everyone on board safe, and I achieved it. Nothing was more important. The paperwork was still there the next day, and I did it then. I would far rather be criticised for not completing a form than for putting the vessel in a dangerous situation – or worse!
Having said that, we must accept our responsibilities. We are part of a small team, and everyone must play their part to the best of their professional ability. I remember as a very junior third mate going up the English Channel for the first time as a qualified officer. The Master was on the bridge and, to be honest, I hoped that he was going to stay up as it was quite busy. He told me, “André, I am really tired and have to sleep, are you going to be OK? I’m available immediately if you need me.” “Yes Sir,” I replied, “I’ll call you if I need you, sleep well.” That was it, I was on my own and did my job safely and as I had been trained. I learnt a lesson that night from that Captain about responsibility, trust and teamwork.
When I first went to sea (a long time ago) most Masters did not permit their OOW to sit down, in case they fell asleep during the watch. Although it was always an unwritten rule, you had better look out if they ever found you in the Pilot’s chair. Those days are long gone and, in many ways I am pleased, but sometimes I think I’m lucky that I sailed with these old fashioned seafarers, although I didn’t think so at the time!
It is important to help your shipmates when you can. For example, if you are on the 8 to 12 watch and, due to the ship’s schedule, the Second Officer is exhausted but you are OK, consider doing an extra two hours on watch until 0200. That way you will remain within the work-rest hours legislation by having six hours’ rest and the Second Officer will only have to do two hours before returning to their bunk. Believe me, they will appreciate and remember it, and may even reciprocate when the opportunity arises. Don’t expect that, though. Do it because you are a professional team member and someone who cares about their fellow seafarers.
One word of caution, tell the Second Officer you are going to do this, as they may set an alarm. Don’t wake them up to tell them!
Senior Officers, Captains and Managers may be very good at their jobs, but they are not psychic. If you do not tell them that you are suffering from fatigue they will not know and will not be able to help you. This is something you must think about carefully as you don’t want to get a reputation for using tiredness as an excuse not to work. However, if you are so tired that you cannot do your job safely, you have a responsibility to tell someone and not wait and hope they notice.
In my 13 years as an underway STS Mooring Master/Pilot, there were only two occasions when I was so tired that I could not do my job. Both times I told my line manager and she took it extremely seriously. She knew me well enough to know how concerned I was and how difficult it was for me to make that call. As a seafarer we just want to get the job done, but at times the only safe thing to do is say “no”. Just not too often!
We were working off the East Coast of the USA in poor weather and trying to get the jobs done between weather fronts. I had reached the point where I was so tired that I did not think I could put the vessels together safely. I knew the only option was to tell my boss and delay the job, which I did. We agreed that I would be OK if I could get six hours off and at least four hours of unbroken sleep. As I had been proactive in this, she made operational arrangements to give me my rest, and later that night I put the vessels together safely. I could have gone ahead and may have been able to do the job, but can you imagine what would have happened if an accident had occurred. It would have been my fault because I did not have the courage to speak up.
Even if you are the most junior officer on board, you have a huge responsibility to your fellow seafarers, the environment and the vessel. You also have a responsibility to yourself. Only you really know if you are simply tired, or so fatigued that you cannot do your job safely. Your responsibility also lies in making sure that you take every opportunity to rest – and to work with your fellow team members to help them get their downtime too.