Fatigue in Merchant Marine Personnel

Abstract

A field study of work, sleep and alertness patterns was conducted among 141 U.S. merchant marine personnel. Data were collected by means of a logbook over a 10 — 30 day period for each mariner. A total of 2,038 logbook days were collected. The results indicate the existence of substantial fatigue risk factors, including sleep fragmentation, low sleep durations, poor quality sleep and long work days. The risk factors have a higher incidence among watchstanders, who work a 4 hour on, 8 hour off schedule. Of particular concern is the high incidence (23%) of severely restricted sleep (less than 4 hours per 24) among workers on the 0400 — 0800 watch. The data provide the basis for alternative work-rest scheduling in the maritime industry.