Human Factors as Causes for Shipboard Oil Pollution Violations

Abstract

Shipping is a crucial transportation mode for world trade. Operation of ships has become a specialisation. Maritime training addresses the needs and in doing so is heavily regulated. Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) lays down the requirements for such training and all training patterns in the world follow these. An important aspect of the training is the environmental factor. Ships use and carry large quantities of oils. This increases the potential for pollution. The laws and penalties on this front have increased and become stricter. This has decreased the operational pollution yet, there are violations occurring. The nature of violations are not only physical but also in documentation such as falsification of Oil Record Book entries, etc. A study was undertaken to understand the effect of factors such as training, experience, attitude and fatigue on oil pollution violations. The adequacy and effectiveness of current maritime training has been verified with reference to STCW and the recommended Lesson Plans of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Training aside, hypotheses on other human factors have been framed and tested by statistical methods. In this paper, the human factors of experience, attitude and fatigue are projected and the results are discussed. Various statistical methods such as ANOVA, Chi-square and correlation analyses have been applied as appropriate to the nature of the data obtained from the survey results. A survey conducted amongst seafaring officers formed the basis for the hypotheses and the tests. Whereas training is found to be adequate, attitude and fatigue are shown to be the primary factors affecting oil pollution violations. Negligent attitude appears to diminish with increased experience but good attitude towards pollution prevention practices remain irrespective of the variation in experience or training. The factor of fatigue has a mention in many studies and this study validates the same. The concerns on this front are highlighted; and recommendations for further probing into attitude-behaviour and fatigue are suggested. Mind-set behaviour training at management levels and pro-activeness of companies in overcoming some reasons for fatigue such as long working hours etc. are suggested. It is observed that attitude and fatigue could be the main causal factors which are resulting in pollution violations.