Monica Lundh

Seeking harmony in shore-based unmanned ship handling – From the perspective of human factors, what is the difference we need to focus on from being onboard to onshore?

Previous studies have discovered that the tacit but indispensable “ship sense” from seafarers is intensively involved in creating and maintaining “harmony” to assure the safety. The concept of “harmony” reveals the continuous balanced effect by tuning the ship to the dynamic environment under different situations that ship handlers strive for. While the notions of ship sense and harmony is originally created for onboard ship maneuvering, this paper extends it to the domain of shore-based control centers for unmanned ship handling from the perspective of human factors. With the loss of direct ship-sense, the harmony is also lost. This paper analyzes the challenges from having the operator onboard to onshore during ship maneuvering and explores the changing aspects of human factors we need to focus on, in order to facilitate shore-based ship-handlers to regain the harmony. The EU project Maritime Unmanned Ship though Intelligence in Networks (MUNIN) provides the context to conduct the focus group interview of participants with seagoing experience. The shifted human factors in shore-based unmanned ship handling are discussed. The results highlight several differential aspects in human factors that should be considered, such as situation awareness. It provides keys to design shore-based control center for remote monitoring and control in accordance with user-centered design principles.

Exploring non-technical miscommunication in vessel traffic service operation

Vessel traffic services (VTS) are maritime traffic monitoring systems used in port approaches, confined or congested waters. VTS operators (VTSOs) monitor a specific geographical area and support and direct ships that sail through the area, primarily making the navigating officer or pilot of each ship aware of the current traffic situation, local weather and geographical conditions. We used an interactive mid-fidelity simulation as a knowledge eliciting tool to explore the work situation of VTSOs. During the simulation, VTSOs from a VTS centre in Sweden ran a scenario based on a normal traffic situation in their local fairway. Results indicate that the VTSOs, even though they are well aware of crucial events in the fairway, at times choose not to inform navigating officers or pilots of these safety aspects apart from when subject to protocol. The present paper put forward elements behind this form of miscommunication and presents results indicating that the major contributing factor is the VTSOs’ anticipation of negative attitudes between working groups participating in the VTS system and the lack of sufficient regulation with regard to the role and responsibilities of VTSOs.

Ship Engine Control Room Design Analysis of Current Human Factors & Ergonomics Regulations & Future Directions

A ships’ engine control room (ECR) is of central importance to the engine department and overall vessel operation. Modern day ships are becoming increasingly technologically sophisticated and computerization has a growing presence in the engine department. A large portion of marine engineering duties are now dedicated to remotely managing equipment from the ECR. In order to optimize control room design and layout from a user-centered perspective numerous safety-critical industries have implemented mandatory regulations which utilize human factors and ergonomics (HF&E) knowledge. However, shipping’s highest governing body, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) currently lacks regulatory support in this area. This paper examines international mandatory regulations and non-mandatory guidelines regarding the human element which influence ECR design. Analysis reveals that a disconnect exists between the regulations which specify ship design criteria and those which specify seafarer training competencies and safe operational procedures. From a regulatory perspective ECR design does not support ECR operation. Assessment of current regulatory gaps establishes a base for developing engine department-specific HF&E applications. Safer shipping practices can be fostered by facilitating operational demands through work environment design. However, due to the complexity of international shipping laws mandatory regulations are the only way to ensure effective implementation.

Gaps Between Users and Designers: A Usability Study About a Tablet-Based Application Used on Ship Bridges

© Springer International Publishing AG 2018. In recent years, Information Technology (IT) applications have been developed for the traditional shipping industry aiming at improving safety and efficiency, but the design vision is dominantly technology-centric without much attention being given to the user’s actual work experience or needs. A usability study is an approach to uncover the gap between users and designers. Although there is substantial research on usability, the values and usability of the tabletbased applications used on ship bridges have rarely been investigated. In this paper, a tablet-based computer application was developed to provide decision support to river pilots for passing under bridges in the Gothenburg area. Experienced pilots were invited to participate in a simulated navigational environment. By exploring the potential barriers in using such novel applications on a bridge, this study aims to address the human factor concerns for future IT design and developments in the maritime domain.

Evaluating a digital ship design tool prototype: Designers’ perceptions of novel ergonomics software

Computer-aided solutions are essential for naval architects to manage and optimize technical complexities when developing a ships design. Although there are an array of software solutions aimed to optimize the human element in design, practical ergonomics methodologies and technological solutions have struggled to gain widespread application in ship design processes. This paper explores how a new ergonomics technology is perceived by naval architecture students using a mixed-methods framework. Thirteen Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Masters students participated in the study. Overall, results found participants perceived the software and its embedded ergonomics tools to benefit their design work, increasing their empathy and ability to understand the work environment and work demands end-users face. However, participants questioned if ergonomics could be practically and efficiently implemented under real-world project constraints. This revealed underlying social biases and a fundamental lack of understanding in engineering postgraduate students regarding applied ergonomics in naval architecture.

The physical work environment and end-user requirements: Investigating marine engineering officers' operational demands and ship design

BACKGROUND Physical environments influence how individuals perceive a space and behave within it. Previous research has revealed deficiencies in ship engine department work environments, and their impact on crew productivity, health and wellbeing. OBJECTIVE Connect operational task demands to pragmatic physical design and layout solutions by implementing a user-centric perspective. METHODS Three focus groups, each consisting of three marine engineers participated in this study. Focus groups were divided into two sessions: first, to investigate the end-users operational requirements and their relationship with ship physical design and layout. Second, criteria formulated from group discussions were applied to a ship design case study. All focus group sessions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using Grounded Theory. RESULTS Design choices made in a ships general arrangement were described to inherently influence how individuals and teams are able to function within the system. Participants detailed logistical relationships between key areas, stressing that the work environment and physical linkages must allow for flexibility of work organization and task execution. CONCLUSIONS Traditional engine control paradigms do not allow effective mitigation of traditional engine department challenges. The influence of technology and modernization of ship systems can facilitate improvement of physical environments and work organization if effectively utilized.

Identifying Gaps, Opportunities and User Needs for Future E-navigation Technology and Information Exchange

Since IMO’s recent approval of the E-navigation strategy, projects like EfficienSea2 have focused on improving information exchange, safety and efficiency of navigation. To identify current gaps and potential development opportunities, this study investigated the current maritime network, typical work practices and technologies through qualitative research with the Swedish Vessel Traffic Services, coastal pilots and navigation instructors. Maritime operations happen within a resilient sociotechnical system where ship- and shore-based operators work in cooperation to achieve common goals. However, the low interconnection of information technologies was evident, and basic local navigational information was dispersed, sometimes conflicting or inaccessible, increasing uncertainty and complicating decision-making for ship- and shore-based stakeholders. New e-navigation solutions may not only alter work processes but also the organisation of the maritime network.

Evacuation in Practice - Observations from Five Full Scale Exercises

Evacuating a ship is a difficult task which normally is performed under severe and demanding conditions, exposing both crew members and passengers on board to an extreme and demanding situation. To be prepared for an incident happening on board and shouldering this responsibility is part of the everyday reality of the crew members’ work situation. This study reports the results from observations made on board five passenger ships performing full scale exercises with participants acting as passengers. The results pointed out four problem areas; the safety organization, the ability to perform tasks, the handling of life vests and communication. These areas represented an uncertainty in the requirements associated with the crew members’ role in the safety organization implied. There was also evidence of difficulties in the crews’ performing of different tasks, problems with donning life vests and insufficient communication. The crew member groups on board differ in their skills and knowledge to handle an evacuation situation. These groups need to be studied separately and systematically in order to determine how they comprehend their work situation and what their needs of preparation and training are in order to feel content with meeting the demands of their role in the safety organization.

Non‑technical communication factors at the Vessel Traffic Services

This study done at the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) explored how the VTS operators (VTSOs) communicated with ships and other actors in the maritime sociotechnical system and how decisions were made with regard to assisting traffic in maintaining safe passage in port areas, where most vessel movements are seen and accidents occur. The fieldwork was done during four independent visits to a VTS centre under the Swedish Maritime Authority, with a total sample of six VTSOs and one VTS instructor. The qualitative data were sorted and coded using a grounded theory approach. The data pointed at non-technical information processing and communication factors that play a role in decision-making and ultimately in safety. During protocol operations at the VTS, these factors influenced how VTSOs judged the skills of the vessels’ bridge teams, and how they approached them. This is a time where much effort is being put into upgrading technological systems, and these will have the power to change the ways in which the maritime network obtains and processes information, as well as how they can communicate with each other. The further development of technological systems, work protocols and training programmes can benefit from taking the soft aspects of communication and the needs of the operators and their tasks into account for the enhancement of safety.

A Static Organization in a Dynamic Context – A Qualitative Study of Changes in Working Conditions for Swedish Engine Officers

During the last decades the shipping industry has undergone rapid technical developments and experienced hard economic conditions and increased striving for profitability. This has led to reduced staffing and changes in task performance, which has been reported to increase workload for the remaining seafarers. The working conditions on board have a number of distinct and in many ways unique characteristics, which makes the job demands and resources for seafarers unique in several ways. The purpose of this study was to assess how engine room staff perceives how these major technical and organizational changes in the shipping industry have affected job demands as well as resources. The study compiled individual interviews and focus groups interviews with engine crew members where they were asked to elaborate on the psychosocial work environment and the major changes in the working conditions on board. Engine crew describes a work situation where they feel a lack of resources. The content of the work has changed, staffing has been reduced, new tasks are being added but the organization of the crew and the design of the work place remains unaltered.