Recent research on maritime incidents indicates that the loss of bridge control in active systems is simply attributed to human error. However, incidents typically do not occur due to a single mistake. System design, fatigue, workload, communication, and established procedures can all be factors that put individuals at risk. Understanding the context of incidents is vital to prevent their recurrence.
Factors Influencing Human Performance
Research shows that risk assessments for critical tasks should consider not only what might go wrong but also the conditions that make errors more or less likely. These factors are known as Performance Influencing Factors or PIFs.
Some of these factors have been observed in incidents discussed in previous articles, where system settings by the crew appeared to be an obvious factor. However, upon closer inspection, significant contexts emerge.
Hazards from Incorrect Habits
A false sense of confidence can arise when a task has been performed repeatedly without issues. This is evident in the incident related to the bridge joystick. The transfer of control to the bridge is done through a documented procedure, but experienced crew members ignored this procedure. Systems that operate without problems 99.9% of the time can lead to complacency and even push experienced operators towards unsafe behaviors.
Companies should check whether bridge teams hold briefings before entering restricted or crowded waters. These sessions provide an opportunity to remind the importance of bridge control.
In the discussed incidents, pressure and fatigue have affected crew performance. In several cases, incidents occurred within minutes, creating high cognitive load and time pressure. As a result, operators had to simultaneously diagnose problems, assess hazards, and take corrective actions. These instances demonstrate how performance can quickly decline under unknown conditions and pressure.
