Purpose
This advice aims to raise awareness about the risks associated with fatigue onboard vessels and outline preventive measures to safeguard crew health, operational safety, and vessel integrity.
Fatigue – A critical safety concern
Fatigue is a physical and mental condition resulting from prolonged exertion, sleep loss, or disruption of circadian rhythms. It significantly affects performance, decision-making, and alertness and increases the likelihood of accidents.
Common causes onboard include
- Long working hours without adequate rest
- Irregular sleep schedules
- High workloads or understaffing
- Stress from isolation or demanding conditions
- Poor sleeping environments
Consequences of fatigue
- Diminished concentration and reaction time
- Impaired judgment and decision-making
- Health problems such as insomnia, anxiety, and chronic fatigue
- Higher likelihood of marine incidents and near-misses
Preventive measures
To promote a safe and healthy working environment, consider implementing the following:
- Ensure adherence to IMO and flag state rest hour requirements. Schedule duties to avoid exceeding regulatory limits and allow compensatory rest when exceptions occur.
- Fatigue awareness training: Educate crew on recognising fatigue symptoms and reporting concerns.
- Encourage open communication: Foster a culture where crew members feel safe to report fatigue without fear of reprisal.
- Improve sleeping conditions: Maintain quiet, well-ventilated cabins with comfortable bedding.
- Workload management: Distribute tasks evenly and avoid excessive overtime.
- Electronic monitoring: Use digital systems to log rest hours and detect non-compliance.
- Fatigue risk management systems (FRMS): Integrate medical, psychological, and operational factors.
Regulatory framework
TCW Convention (2010 Amendments)
- Minimum rest hours: 10 hours in any 24-hour period; 77 hours in any 7-day period.
- Rest periods: Must be divided into no more than two periods, one of which must be at least 6 hours.
- Recordkeeping: Accurate work/rest hours logs must be maintained and available for inspection.
Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006)
- Maximum work hours: 14 hours in any 24-hour period any 24 hours; 72 hours in any 7-day period.
- Rest requirements: Align with STCW but emphasise transparency and documentation.
- Compliance tools: Ships must carry a Maritime Labour Certificate and Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC).
International Safety Management (ISM) Code
- Safety Management Systems (SMS): Must include fatigue risk management procedures.
- Leadership Responsibility: Masters and the company management are accountable for monitoring fatigue and ensuring compliance.
- ISM Audits: Non-compliance with fatigue protocols may result in deficiencies during audits or Port State Control inspections.
Leadership and accountability
Shipowners, operators, and masters must:
- Actively monitor crew wellbeing, respect rest hours, and intervene when fatigue is suspected. Proactive leadership ensures compliance and cultivates a culture of care.
- Ensure compliance with STCW, MLC, and ISM fatigue provisions.
- Maintain transparent records and support crew in reporting violations.
- Foster a safety culture that prioritises rest and wellbeing.
source: cyprusshippingnews.com
