Analysis on Ship's Accidents Caused by Dozing Watch-keepers in Judgment Record of Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency Judgments

Abstract

An analysis of the causes for dozing among watch-keepers that actually resulted in ship accidents was undertaken. Marine accidents (n=870) that had been described to the judgment record of Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency judgments between 1994 and 2003 were used for analysis. A Quantification Method was used to analyze the data, which included a 30-item categorization procedure. Analysis also included categorization according to the type of vessel and vessel use (i.e., fishing vessels and cargo ships and tankers). Of the 30 items, the following provided the highest percentages: "Low caution" (80.1%); "Awake rhythm-Night" (44.5%); and "Physical tiredness" (42.9%). When categories were combined (e.g., "Work for a long time", "Lack of sleep" and "Lack the tension"), there was remarkable similarity in the analysis of both fishing vessels and cargo ships and tankers. The influence of "Artificial and Environmental factors" characterized the analysis of cargo ships and tankers. The influence of "Work tiredness", "Lack of sleep", "After the supper" and "Smell of liquor" characterized the analysis of fishing vessels.