The impact of marine engine noise exposure on seafarer fatigue: A China case

Abstract

Previous relevant studies have revealed that noise and poor sleep quality are two important risk factors causing seafarer fatigue. However, the relationship between marine engine noise and objective sleep parameters has rarely been studied. Using primary data collected from a 28-day on-board experiment and 1 questionnaire survey during both voyage and berthing periods, this study takes a pioneering step to address this crucial relationship. Energy indicators related to the engine noise for 28 days were estimated and 6 objective sleep parameters were used to measure the degree of seafarer fatigue. The findings reveal that as seafarers want to sleep longer to relieve their anxiety and irritability caused by the increased engine noise, the time in bed (TB) and the total sleep time (TST) increased when the engine noise level increased. Meanwhile, with the growing engine noise levels and the higher number of engine noise events, the total wake time after sleep onset (WASO) and the time for sleep onset latency (SOL) increased, and the sleep efficiency (SE) decreased. Energy indicators were significantly associated with objective sleep parameters. Finally, strengthening the content of psychological adjustment in the seafarer training link and cultivating the seafarers' character strength to improve the ability to face harsh environments are recommended. In maritime management, managers should play the role of social work intervention to adjust seafarers’ sleep quality and ease fatigue. In the construction of ships, builders should emphatically consider the use of sound insulation materials to reduce noise effect on living areas.