Understanding seafarer roster patterns and fatigue on vessels
Contextual study on the roster patterns and the measures to manage fatigue used on roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) and roll-on and roll-off passenger (ro-pax) vessels.
Documents
Details
A literature review and qualitative research into the types of roster patterns and the measures to manage fatigue used on ro-ro and ro-pax vessels.
The objectives were to understand the:
- various types of seafarer roster and shift patterns and how they differ by route and operators, plus the impact of different roster patterns on seafarer fatigue and welfare
- quality and duration of rest available to, or experienced by, seafarers, and the impact on seafarer fatigue and welfare.
- factors that are taken into consideration when designing roster and shift patterns and why
- measures and the effectiveness of those measures taken by ferry operators to manage seafarers’:
- shorter-term ‘sleepiness’
- longer-term fatigue
- potentially reduced vigilance
These findings are one of 2 sets of research that will form part of the evidence base for updating the Seafarers’ Charter.
A literature review involves reading all existing information on a topic in order to:
- ascertain the current status of that topic.
- discover new or previously overlooked insights on a topic.
Fieldwork was conducted by the external research bodies of the:
Fieldwork was conducted between February and May 2023. The research was commissioned by the Department for Transport.
The second phase of this research was released in December 2024.