Evaluating the mental workload of watch officers during maritime navigation training courses

Abstract

The study utilized a navigation training course conducted within a bridge simulator, combining subjective, physiological, and performance measures for evaluation to explore the impact of different tasks on the mental workload of watch officers. Fifteen naval officers participated in the experiment. Each participant was required to complete four different tasks simulating common maritime scenarios. These tasks replicated real conditions that they might encounter during actual missions. The results indicated that there was a significant difference in participants' mental workload under different tasks, primarily reflected in subjective perceptions and physiological data. Mental demands emerged as the most substantial contributor to perceived workload. As task changes (for example, introducing time limits and needing to avoid collisions with other vessels), participants' fixation duration and revisit counts for Areas of Interest (AOIs) increase. Participants showed a greater focus on AOIs that provided external information. Despite the increase in mental workload, participants' performance did not decline. The findings of this study can be applied to navigation training and bridge design, such as optimizing information presentation methods and developing stress management strategies to enhance navigational safety.