Skuld Club explained in a recent article the risks associated with fatigue onboard vessels and outlined preventive measures to safeguard crew health, operational safety and vessel integrity.
Fatigue is a physical and mental condition resulting from prolonged exertion, sleep loss, or disruption of circadian rhythms, Skuld Club highlights. It significantly affects performance, decision-making and alertness as well as increases the likelihood of accidents.
Common causes onboard include
Long working hours without adequate rest
Irregular sleep schedules
High workloads or understaffing
Stress from isolation or demanding conditions
Poor sleeping environments
Consequences of fatigue
Diminished concentration and reaction time
Impaired judgment and decision-making
Health problems such as insomnia, anxiety, and chronic fatigue
Higher likelihood of marine incidents and near-misses
Preventive measures
To promote a safe and healthy working environment, Skuld recommends implementing the following:
Ensure adherence to IMO and flag state rest hour requirements. Schedule duties to avoid exceeding regulatory limits and allow compensatory rest when exceptions occur.
Fatigue awareness training: Educate crew on recognising fatigue symptoms and reporting concerns.
Encourage open communication: Foster a culture where crew members feel safe to report fatigue without fear of reprisal.
Improve sleeping conditions: Maintain quiet, well-ventilated cabins with comfortable bedding.
Workload management: Distribute tasks evenly and avoid excessive overtime.
Electronic monitoring: Use digital systems to log rest hours and detect non-compliance.
Fatigue risk management systems (FRMS): Integrate medical, psychological, and operational factors.
Regulatory framework
STCW Convention (2010 Amendments)
Minimum rest hours: 10 hours in any 24-hour period; 77 hours in any 7-day period.
Rest periods: Must be divided into no more than two periods, one of which must be at least 6 hours.
Recordkeeping: Accurate /rest hours logs must be maintained and available for inspection.
Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006)
Maximum work hours: 14 hours in any 24-hour period any 24 hours; 72 hours in any 7-day period.
Rest requirements: Align with STCW but emphasise transparency and documentation.
Compliance tools: Ships must carry a Maritime Labour Certificate and Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC).
International Safety Management (ISM) Code
Safety Management Systems (SMS): Must include fatigue risk management procedures.
Leadership Responsibility: Masters and the company management are accountable for monitoring fatigue and ensuring compliance.
ISM Audits: Non-compliance with fatigue protocols may result in deficiencies during audits or Port State Control inspections.
Leadership and accountability
Shipowners, operators and masters must actively monitor crew wellbeing, respect rest hours and intervene when fatigue is suspected. Proactive leadership is essential not only for regulatory compliance but also for fostering a culture of care and responsibility on board.
Strict adherence to the fatigue-related provisions of the STCW, MLC and ISM Code is critical. Transparent record-keeping and a supportive environment for reporting violations are also key to maintaining compliance and accountability and cultivating a safety culture that prioritizes rest and overall wellbeing is fundamental.
