We have had two serious marine incidents recently that have both acknowledged fatigue as the main contributor. These incidents are now negatively impacting the skipper, the crew and the business when the vessel may well be out of the water for the entire season or lost completely in these two instances. This means – no income for the business, no employment for the crew and all avoidable.
Fatigue can have serious consequences for the safety and health of seafarers, operational safety and the marine environment. The demanding nature of the marine industry means that seafarers may be required to work long and irregular hours.
They may work and live away from home for weeks or months at a time, on a vessel subject to unpredictable and changing weather conditions. While on board, the vessel is both a seafarer’s workplace and their home, so there may not be a clear separation between work, recreation and rest.
This can affect mental and emotional wellbeing.
Something important to note, is that we are assured the company involved in one of the incidents (in which we have provided maritime consultancy), meets all of AMSA requirements with regard to employment conditions, policies, procedures and training. So as a business owner, what do you do?
You are responsible for ensuring that AMSA conditions are all met including but not limited to:
Other important conditions which you should ensure:
The trip home can be particularly perilous, especially after a tiring day. Often the crew feel alert, even after working long hours. When the watchkeeper is left on his own while others sleep, however, this feeling of being fine can quickly disappear. In situations like this, it’s crucial that the skipper has a few plans up his sleeve to manage their safety.
Here are a few strategies to think about:
While a watchkeeping alarm won’t prevent fatigue, they do help manage safety when there’s a high risk of falling asleep. Make sure that the watch alarm suits your vessel and is used each and every time regardless of the time of day.
Keep in mind:
Make sure the sleeping area is comfortable. Why? If the space is too hot or cold, too light, or noisy, sleeping can be difficult. How? Think about installing ventilation, blocking out light (or offering eye masks), and soundproofing and/or reducing engine noise.
Keep hydrated and well-nourished. Why? Dehydration and poor nutrition can contribute to fatigue. How? Provide water bottles, especially if it’s hot, and offer healthy meals and snacks (low sugar, high energy) like nuts, trail mix and boiled eggs.
Control use of games and TV. Why? Crew may be tempted to forgo rest in order to play games or watch TV, and games can also distract watchkeepers on duty. How? Introduce a policy on the use of TVs and devices. For example: Recommend 10 minutes of checking social media and messages from family, then sleep while you can.
Make sure everyone wears appropriate clothing. Why? Being too hot or cold can lead to fatigue. How? Wear 3 layers in the cold (including a windproof outer layer), cover the head, and keep feet warm and dry in layered socks and insulated boots.
Take extra care on long days. Why? Lack of sleep has a cumulative effect. How? Encourage napping, especially at natural sleep times (3-5pm, after 9pm).
As a Watchkeeper, their main duties and responsibilities are:
• avoid collisions with other vessels or objects in the sea
• keep the vessel on track
• manage the vessel (for example, by keeping records in the logbook)
• monitor the vessel’s systems and seaworthiness.
A Watchkeeper is focussed to keep watch without being asked, expected or distracted to do anything else. Even if the Skipper is in the wheelhouse, it must be clear, the Watchkeeper has the duty to maintain watch until the next person has confirmed they have taken over the watch.
The Watchkeeper is responsible for ensuring that they can focus and complete the watch in its entirety as above without distraction or tiredness causing fatigue. This is their responsibility. If they cannot, then the responsibility must lie with them and therefore the fault.
As a business, as long as you can be 100% confident, which you should be, that your SMS, training and employment conditions are AMSA compliant, then like all business’ you become reliant and need to trust those that work for you.
Take a close look at your business today and its practices. It is worth taking an hour or two from your day to look at your operations, ensuring that you and your crew are doing all possible to ensure compliancy and safety for all, every moment of every voyage.
Review your SMS, NOW!
Ensure you have the policies and procedures in place within your SMS as discussed above.
Training!
If you think you need crew inductions or emergency response training, then please contact us today and we can assist!
As always, if you have any questions about this week’s newsletter or have concerns, please feel free to contact our office on (07) 4242 1412 or email here.
