Research and analysis

Understanding seafarer fatigue in ferry operations

Research into fatigue experienced by seafarers operating ferries, including how to reduce its impact.

• From: Department for Transport
• Published: 17 December 2024

Documents

Understanding seafarer fatigue in ferry operations

PDF, 5.78 MB, 183 pages

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Details

This report is a study into the causes of seafarer fatigue and the extent to which fatigue is attributable to the length of time they spend at sea. It also explores ways to reduce the impact of fatigue on seafarers.

The objectives of this research were to:

• determine the most appropriate method to assess and monitor seafarers’ fatigue
• understand what the consequences of fatigue are for different roles
• determine the most important factors that cause and increase fatigue and how to mitigate them
• understand the fail-safe measures used by roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) and roll-on, roll-off and passenger (ro-pax) vessels to prevent accidents caused by seafarer fatigue
• expand on best practice from other transport sectors to explore how a model can predict the maximum number of hours and weeks a seafarer could work, accounting for the relevant risks and mitigations against fatigue

The research comprised a survey, workshop, interviews, focus groups and field studies conducted between January and April 2024.

The Department of Transport commissioned Loughborough University to conduct this research.

This report follows research into understanding seafarer roster patterns and fatigue on vessels

Published 17 December 2024