Human Factors Evaluation in Ship Design and Operation: An Case Study in Norwegian Sea

: Research demonstrated that the majority of accidents at sea were triggered by human errors. While working as seafarers is demanding, human factors were hardly addressed in ship design. It seems that there was a mismatch between the knowledge of ship design and the needs to consider human factors in reality. The implementation of human factors in ships is rather limited; i.e. within the safety-related issues. This research investigated human factors in ship design and operation by using empirical methods. Surveys were performed on platform supply vessels in Norwegian Sea where seafarers’ evaluation, sleeping behaviour, conditions and seafarers’ performance were recorded. Noise and motions were measured using a sound level meter and an accelerometer respectively. Data collections were done in summer as well as in winter. Two reports were published and summarized in this paper. Results were compared with the criteria. Discrepancies were identified. It can be concluded that some of the criteria were not adequate to ensure safety, moreover comfort. Specific improvements are recommended with respect to motion, slamming and noise criteria. Human factors structural model is developed and can be used to explain seafarers' condition and performance on board. Due to the small number of samples, generalization of this research is limited for a specific population.