ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the interaction between individual maritime operators and the tasks they are performing. Most maritime environments are characterized by long and irregular working hours; hence the amount of work that crewmembers have to perform, as well as the amount of rest that they are able to take, is often not optimal. A key performance-shaping factor is the fatigue level of an individual operator. Psychological stress on ships means that crewmembers may perceive tasks, environmental, and/or internal demands, as nearing the limit or exceeding their resources for managing the situation. Muscular fatigue comes from heavy physical work and is localized in overstressed muscles. Of most concern to us in maritime human factors is general fatigue. Most operators are aware of the precursors of fatigue, so ideally must stop work at that point if the task is safety critical.
