Estimation of human error probabilities in marine safety services: The case of lifeboat and davits inspection

Abstract

Shipboard Operation Human Reliability Analysis (SOHRA) method is recognized as a practical tool to predict human error probability (HEP) of operators engaging marine operations. Identifying the generic task types (GTTs) and marine specific error producing conditions (m-EPCs), the tool successfully derives HEP value distribution of critical operations in maritime environment. However, the real-time applications of SOHRA to prioritize and implement the suitable recovery actions have still open for development due to the limited time and expertise at pre-operation stage. This paper adapts SOHRA into lifeboat and davits inspection process as a critical marine safety service. Considering the tasks conducted by marine safety service engineers in routine and remote support modes, the GTTs and m-EPCs are assigned to estimate HEP values. In this context, a remote assistance system, is alternatively extended to involve standardization, camera tracking, and advisory support to enhance human reliability through inspection stages. The findings spotlight the deviation in HEP between routine (8.26E + 00) and remote support (4.04E-01) modes. A set of recovery actions (i.e. instructional materials) to remedy the HEP values in routine mode are suggested while it is not required at the remote mode assistance. The application illustrates that remote supporting to the marine service might reasonably reduce service engineers’ error rates. Consequently, the study is expected to enhance SOHRA applications in inspection period, particularly added value to marine service engineers in duty. The further studies on the proposed remote assistance concept as new generation solution will contribute to the service quality of marine safety companies.