Human Factors in Ship Design and Operation: Experiential Learning

Abstract

Human error and other human related factors have long been identified as the main cause of accidents at sea. Inadequate design has been suggested as a significant reason triggering human actions. In this research, human factors in ship design and operation were investigated using several approaches: a literature review, empirical studies and a theoretical approach. The methods include: content analysis, exploratory survey, explanatory research and on-board measurements, combined with observations and questionnaires. A theoretical evaluation of the human factor construct is made and a model for integrating human factors into design is introduced. The work in this thesis can be classified into six themes: RT1: Overview of the existing knowledge of human factors in ship design and operation RT2: Overview of the implementation of human factor principles in ship design and operation RT3: Overview of the relationships between human factors and other variables of interest RT4: Overview of the standards and criteria and their relevance RT5: Overview of the crew’s wellbeing and performance RT6: Overview of human factors theoretical construct in ship design and operation. Two offshore supply vessels operating in the Norwegian Sea were chosen as the objects of the study; therefore generalisation of the findings is limited. The main contributions of the thesis are: C1: To present a comprehensive list of documents related to human factors that includes the topics covered C2: To develop qualitative and quantitative methods, and an on-board evaluation that can be used to distinguish factors related to vessels from those related to humans C3: To present an example of how different methods were used to evaluate the implementation of human factors on the sampled vessels, including a presentation of results that may contribute to the existing body of knowledge C4: To present feedback on the existing standards and criteria based on on-board measurements, and which shows their relevance when implemented on two offshore supply vessels operating in the Norwegian Sea C5: To present a model showing the significant variables and their relationships to seafarers’ wellbeing and performance on two offshore supply vessels during their operation in the Norwegian Sea C6: To present theoretical feedback on the human factor construct in ship design and operation as represented by the sample C7: To propose a preliminary model of how human factors could be integrated in offshore supply vessel design and operation