Rising Fatigue Levels in Cargo Seafarers Challenge Existing Rest Regulations, New Research Reveals

According to a recent study from Cardiff University, fatigue among cargo seafarers is on the rise, despite ongoing efforts to enforce work and rest regulations aboard ships.This research, conducted by the Seafarers International Research Centre, involved anonymous surveys and interviews with over 2,400 maritime workers across both cargo and cruise sectors. The findings highlight critical areas for enhancing the health and wellbeing of those working at sea.

The timing of this report is notably poignant; it follows an incident in Norway where a cargo ship nearly collided with a house after its watch officer reportedly dozed off while on duty. Investigations are underway to determine if proper rest hours where maintained on that vessel.

The study reveals that more than one-third of cargo seafarers reported insufficient sleep within the last two days prior to completing their questionnaires. Factors contributing to this lack of rest include long working hours, demanding port duties, constant vessel movement, and disruptive noise levels—issues that have worsened since similar studies were conducted in previous years.

Interestingly, many seafarers also cited work-related anxiety as a notable factor affecting their sleep quality. This was especially true for senior officers who frequently enough bear greater responsibilities onboard. Additionally, nearly 20% of those who suffered serious injuries or illnesses reported not receiving timely medical attention due to inadequate access to qualified healthcare professionals while at sea.

Globally, there are around 1.5 million individuals employed in maritime roles under challenging conditions. Many fear reporting issues due to precarious job security linked with their contracts.

Professor Helen Sampson from Cardiff University emphasized that despite improved monitoring systems for work/rest schedules, fatigue remains a persistent challenge for seafarers—a sentiment echoed by recent incidents like the grounding of the NCL salten near Trondheim after its crew had visited multiple ports within just one day.

Sampson pointed out alarming trends such as falsified records regarding work/rest hours aimed at hiding overwork situations.Even when regulations set forth by the Maritime Labour Convention are followed correctly, many seafarers still find themselves deprived of adequate rest periods necessary for maintaining health standards aligned with adult sleep recommendations.

Moreover,access to medical care aboard these vessels is severely lacking; most ships do not have trained medical personnel available during emergencies which can leave injured workers suffering until they reach land—an issue Professor sampson believes needs urgent attention.

The reports also shed light on cruise ship employees’ experiences: about half felt they hadn’t received enough sleep recently due primarily to demanding schedules similar to their cargo counterparts but generally had better access to onboard medical services compared with those working on freighters.Unlike cargo crews who often face cramped living conditions without privacy or comfort amenities like bathtubs or saunas—facilities that could substantially enhance relaxation—the majority of cruise staff also expressed dissatisfaction regarding sleeping arrangements driven by revenue considerations rather than crew welfare.Professor Sampson advocates for comprehensive improvements across both sectors including better facilities such as therapeutic baths and saunas along with increased shore leave opportunities and higher-quality food options—all essential components in fostering healthier environments for maritime workers worldwide.

This research was supported by Stiftelsen Sveriges Sjömanshus alongside additional backing from Sjöbefälsföreningen.