Human Factors In Ship Design Safety And Operation

There is a driving need for naval professionals to focus on human factors issues. The number of maritime accidents is increasing and the chief cause is human error, both by the designer and the operator. Decreasing crew size, lack of experienced operators, operations in higher sea states and fatigue worsen the situation. Automation can be a partial solution, but flawed automated systems actually contribute to accidents at sea. Up to now, there has been no overarching resource available to naval marine vehicle designers and human factors professionals which bridges the gap between the human and the machine in this context. Designers understand the marine vehicle; human factors professionals understand how a particular environment affects people. Yet neither has a practical understanding of the other's field, and thus communicating requirements and solutions is difficult. This book integrates knowledge from numerous sources as well as the advice of a panel of eight recognized experts in the fields of related research, development and operation. The result is a reference that bridges the communications gap, and stands to help enhance the design and operation of all naval marine vehicles.

There is a driving need for naval professionals to focus on human factors issues. The number of maritime accidents is increasing and the chief cause is human error, both by the designer and the operator. Decreasing crew size, lack of experienced operators, operations in higher sea states and fatigue worsen the situation. Automation can be a partial solution, but flawed automated systems actually contribute to accidents at sea. Up to now, there has been no overarching resource available to naval marine vehicle designers and human factors professionals which bridges the gap between the human and the machine in this context. Designers understand the marine vehicle; human factors professionals understand how a particular environment affects people. Yet neither has a practical understanding of the other's field, and thus communicating requirements and solutions is difficult. This book integrates knowledge from numerous sources as well as the advice of a panel of eight recognized experts in the fields of related research, development and operation. The result is a reference that bridges the communications gap, and stands to help enhance the design and operation of all naval marine vehicles.

The piecemeal fashion in which human factors research has been conducted in the maritime domain makes information retrieval available only by scanning through numerous research journals and conference papers. Bringing together human factors information from this and other domains, Human Factors in the Maritime Domain integrates a common body of knowledge into one single volume. The book provides the vital background information necessary to acquire a core knowledge base and a much-needed overview of human factors within the maritime domain. It starts by putting the topic into an historical and theoretical context, moves onto more specific and detailed topics and contemporary thinking in human factors, then reviews new maritime technology. The authors take a holistic approach based on a model of the socio-technical system of work in the maritime domain. They synthesize available knowledge and research, then present in an easily acceptable framework with example, illustrations, and case studies whenever possible, making the text rigorous, useful, and enjoyable. The three authors draw on a range of diverse backgrounds including working as a maritime surveyor, transport consultant, human factors lecturer, and mechanical engineer. They have undertaken maritime research in Denmark, Australia, Malta, and the UK. They have published several other human factor books on related topics. This combination of human factors knowledge, maritime wisdom, and substantial publication experience results in a book that is effective and practical.