Fatigue and Sleepiness at Work in UK Ferry Workers

Introduction: Seafarers operate under the standard pressures associated with 24h shift working operations, compounded by the unpredictability of maritime environments, which require a high degree of flexibility. Existing research on maritime fatigue has primarily focused on military operations and long-distance shipping. By contrast the current work focuses on the UK ferry sector, a busy transport industry with ~37,000 ferry crossings annually, characterized by shorter trip (single time zone) voyages. The primary aim of this research is to examine the prevalence of fatigue among seafarers, analyze its safety implications, and assess employer awareness regarding this issue.

Methods: 446 seafarers (80% male) participated in an online survey conducted between February and April 2024. 87% lived on-board their ships for at least a week at a time, while 13% returned home to sleep between shifts. The survey covered: 1. Work as a seafarer;2. Work patterns and shifts; 3. The impact of work patterns on performance; 4. Sleep; 5. Enjoyment and stress of work; 6. General health; and 7. Demographics. It was promoted by ferry operators, the UK Department for Transport, and union stakeholders. The survey was adapted from previous research involving bus drivers and received ethical approval from Loughborough University. Survey responses remained anonymous; however, upon completion, participants could enter a prize draw to win one of ten £50 cash prizes.

Results: 59% of participants reported having to fight sleep at work at least once in the past month. 18% had fallen asleep at work at least once during the last year. 31% reported work-related safety incidents caused by fatigue in the previous 10 years, but of these, 85% stated that their employer did not know that sleepiness had been involved. Only 35% of participants felt confident in accurately recording their rest and work hours, while 14% never felt confident.

Conclusion: Experiences of sleepiness are widespread in the UK ferry industry, often regarded as “part of the job.” The disparity between individual perceptions of the role of fatigue in workplace incidents and a belief that this is not known to employers, suggests that fatigue is underreported. Accurate documentation of working hours is essential to support effective fatigue management, however, many seafarers find it challenging to adhere to this. Working hours regulations are complex and vary based on the distance from shore and the flag state the vessel is registered with. Furthermore, the stipulations for safe manning and muster lists are international and specify minimum crew numbers on board. However, the emphasis on safety centres on emergency response need, overlooking the safe operation of the vessel over a 24-hour period. Sleepiness is a significant safety concern for seafarers, which is inadequately addressed by the existing work-hour regulations. Support: UK Department for Transport funded this research.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
08. Oktober 2025