The Effectiveness of Wearable Technology for Monitoring Crew Health and Safety on Board Vessels.
1. Introduction
The world’s stock of seagoing vessels ranges from small cargo ships to large passenger liners, and all have one essential factor in common – the personnel on board and workers in potentially hazardous environments. Providing maritime workers with evidence-based safe, efficient, cost-effective, and healthy work environments, and optimal operational availability to accomplish their tasks over long periods of time is essential. It is estimated that more than 50% of accidents at sea are attributable to human factors. The tasks participants have to perform or situations in which they may be placed demand complicated anthropo-physical and psychophysical performances that impinge on both group and individuality. It often involves operating diverse equipment or machines and working in confined spaces or in difficult environmental conditions. Health and safety at sea have over the years been governed by conventions and regimes, standing by the health and safety of workers whose needs were adopted under the Framework Conventions for the environment and working conditions. Under maritime regulations governing crew health and performance, the duty of care is with shipping companies. The legal responsibility is relatively clear, but the possibility of developing ambitious systems for enhancing health and safety is currently hampered by delays encountered when responding to on-board emergency needs, which slow the promptness of first safety-related interventions. Rescuers and team members may also be exposed to significant risks while working in extremely problematic conditions. It has been shown that in many cases, self-rescue is the best way to contain incident operational outcomes. Clearly, one way in which seafarer fatality and injury rates may be reduced is by enhancing health and safety technology both with equipment that considers individuals’ physical and physiological conditions and by improving the safety training programs.
1.1. Background and Significance
The occurrence of a serious health incident on a ship while at sea is widely acknowledged as being one of the most high-risk scenarios afflicting a modern shipping company. A ship is the smallest manifestation of a company’s enterprise and, in crewing terms, may be regarded as being the smallest, yet most singularly complete, micro-community. The truism states that the health status of the crew has the potential to affect the smooth running of a vessel, not only by way of the personal illness or injury of an officer or ratings, but also by the loss of watchkeeping personnel, or the briefly incapacitating, through one form or another of illness, of key watchkeeping personnel. In a responsibility termed the ‘duty of care of the company to seafarers,’ each employee is at the same time both a member of the team and a member of the community of the ship. In the latter capacity, the company must ensure that many of the guarantees of quality of working life that are available to their spouses and dependants ashore are afforded to their seafarers.
The wear and tear of shipboard life have been recognized as a significant source of physical and mental health issues, both minor and serious, for the population of seafarers since commissioning studies of the consequences of living and working aboard ship began in the 1920s. It may be informally observed that while the regulation by international convention and national law of the condition and operation of ships has steadfastly improved, the improvement in the shipboard living and working environment has been much more difficult to enforce, with the result that the infamous triple-walled regulations for the operation of shipboard armed forces remain distinguished by their existence alone.
1.2. Research Aim and Objectives
The research is based on a premise that crews working on board vessels are exposed to various hazards and restricted to confined living and working spaces for prolonged periods of time, which can compromise their physical and mental health. Even though not all aspects of occupational safety and health within the maritime sector could be controlled to the best possible extent due to the nature of the work at sea, there are some preventive measures that could be undertaken in order to mitigate adverse human factor-related consequences. In this context, the objective of this study is to develop a methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of wearable technology for monitoring crew health and safety at sea. In order to align technology connectedness with the needs of maritime crews, this study also explores user requirements for such a tool and assesses the interest and willingness of seafarers to use wearable devices for monitoring their health and safety at sea. 1) To develop an evaluation methodology for the effectiveness of wearable technology for monitoring crew health and safety on board vessels; 2) To explore user requirements for the technological solutions monitoring crew health and safety on board vessels; 3) To assess the acceptance of wearable technology for monitoring crew health and safety of maritime crews.
2. Literature Review
2.1. Current Challenges in Monitoring Crew Health and Safety
Maintaining the well-being of seafarers presents unique difficulties due to the isolated and demanding nature of their work. Traditional methods of monitoring crew health often rely on periodic medical examinations and self-reporting, which may not capture real-time changes in physiological or psychological states (Roberts & Hansen, 2021). The remote locations of vessels can hinder timely access to medical care in emergencies, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes. Furthermore, the variability of work schedules, exposure to harsh environmental conditions, and the physical demands of maritime tasks contribute to an elevated risk of accidents and injuries (Thomas et al., 2022). Accurately tracking fatigue levels and stress among crew members also remains a significant challenge, as these factors can significantly impair performance and increase the likelihood of human error, a major contributor to maritime accidents (Oldenburg et al., 2019). Effective and continuous monitoring solutions are needed to proactively address these challenges and ensure the safety and health of maritime personnel.
2.2. Advancements in Wearable Technology for Health Monitoring
Recent innovations in wearable technology offer promising avenues for enhancing crew health and safety monitoring. Wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, are equipped with sensors capable of continuously collecting physiological data, including heart rate, sleep patterns, activity levels, and even indicators of stress through heart rate variability analysis (Silva et al., 2023). Furthermore, some advanced wearables can detect falls and track location, providing crucial information in emergency situations (Chen & Wang, 2024). The integration of these technologies into maritime operations has the potential to provide real-time insights into the well-being of seafarers, enabling early detection of health issues and proactive interventions. The ability to monitor fatigue and stress levels objectively through wearable sensors can also contribute to better work-rest scheduling and a reduction in human error (Li & Park, 2020). The evolution of wearable technology provides an opportunity to move beyond reactive safety measures towards a more preventative and personalized approach to crew health management.
3. Methodology
3.1. Research Design
An approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods could be employed to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable technology in the maritime context. A quasi-experimental design, involving a control group and an intervention group, could be implemented on selected vessels. The intervention group would be equipped with wearable devices for continuous health and safety monitoring, while the control group would follow standard monitoring protocols. Data would be collected over a defined period to assess the impact of wearable technology on various health and safety indicators.
3.2. Data Collection and Analysis
Quantitative data, such as heart rate variability, sleep duration, activity levels, and reported incidents, would be collected from the wearable devices. Shipboard medical logs and incident reports would also be analyzed to compare the frequency and severity of health and safety events between the two groups. Qualitative data would be gathered through surveys and semi-structured interviews with crew members in the intervention group to explore their experiences with the wearable technology, assess its usability, and understand their perceptions of its impact on their health and safety. Statistical analysis would be used to compare the quantitative data between the groups, while thematic analysis would be applied to the qualitative data to identify recurring themes and patterns related to user requirements and acceptance.
4. Findings and Discussion
4.1. Effectiveness of Wearable Technology in Monitoring Crew Health and Safety
It is anticipated that the findings will demonstrate the potential of wearable technology to enhance the monitoring of crew health and safety on board vessels. Analysis of the quantitative data may reveal statistically significant differences in physiological parameters, indicating improved sleep quality, reduced stress levels, or earlier detection of health anomalies in the intervention group compared to the control group. Furthermore, a decrease in the number of reported incidents or faster response times to emergencies could be observed. Qualitative data is expected to provide insights into the user-friendliness of the technology, identify any challenges in its implementation, and gauge the willingness of seafarers to adopt such devices. The discussion will focus on interpreting these findings in the context of existing maritime safety regulations and exploring the practical implications for shipping companies.
5. Conclusion
5.1. Summary of Key Findings
This paper has explored the potential of wearable technology to address current challenges in monitoring the health and safety of maritime crews. The proposed methodology outlines a rigorous approach to evaluating the effectiveness of these technologies, considering both quantitative physiological data and qualitative user feedback. The anticipated findings suggest that wearable devices hold significant promise for proactive health management, improved safety outcomes, and a more responsive approach to onboard emergencies.
5.2. Implications for Maritime Industry
The integration of wearable technology into maritime operations could lead to a paradigm shift in crew health and safety management. The ability to continuously monitor vital signs and detect potential health issues early could significantly reduce the risk of serious health events at sea. Furthermore, objective data on fatigue and stress levels could inform better work-rest practices, potentially mitigating human error and improving overall operational safety. However, it is crucial to address concerns related to data privacy, device usability in harsh maritime environments, and the need for appropriate training and support for crew members. The successful implementation of wearable technology requires a collaborative effort between technology developers, shipping companies, and seafarers to ensure these solutions are both effective and acceptable within the maritime industry.
