Online survey among maritime pilots: job-related stress and strain and the effects on their work ability

Abstract

Background Maritime pilots often navigate ships through challenging waterways. The required 24 h standby rotation system (ROS) poses a stressful working situation. This study aims to describe the current job-related stress and strain among maritime pilots and the effects on their work ability, taking into account the different rotation systems. Methods Within a cross-sectional survey, pilots of all German pilots’ associations were asked to complete an online questionnaire. The 1-week ROS (port pilots) was compared with the 4-month ROS (sea and canal pilots). The pilots’ subjective perception of stress and strain was assessed using an established ship-specific questionnaire. Daily sleepiness and work ability were examined respectively using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Work Ability Index (WAI). Results The study group consisted of 401 male German pilots with an average age of 48.5 years (participation rate 46.9%). More than 50% of the pilots evaluated irregular working hours as the main stressor in their job. 79.8% of the pilots (especially 4-month ROS) experienced high psychological demands in their workplace. 83.3% stated having regularly neglected their private obligations due to job assignments. Pilots from the 4-month ROS experienced insufficiently predictable free time and long operation times at a stretch as stressors (p < 0.001 and p = 0.037). Elevated daily sleepiness was found in 41.9% of the pilots. The overall evaluation of the WAI questionnaire showed good to very good work ability at 77.3%. Additionally, no significant differences in the daily sleepiness or the work ability were observed between the pilots of the different two ROS. Conclusions Due to their subjectively higher job-related mental demands, their disturbed work-life balance, and their long operation times at a stretch, it is likely that pilots from the 4-month ROS have significantly higher job stress compared to those in the 1-week ROS. However, this does not lead to more sleepiness or reduced work ability, which suggests that the pilots of this ROS are highly adapted to their working situation. Nevertheless, intervention measures with shortened ROS amongst sea and canal pilots’ associations should be tested in respect of benefit, practicability and acceptance by the pilots.

The impact of COVID-19 on maritime pilots: Evidence and lessons

“…Their review identified a number of wellbeing and health-related issues, such as long shifts, challenging tasks, commercial pressures and irregular, unpredictable and unsocial working hours, which often led to stress, fatigue and family conflict. A recent survey of German pilots [35] confirmed these findings. It also found that about 20% of the respondents had experienced at least one accident involving personal injury and that more than half of them had experienced at least one accident involving damage to a vessel [35] .…”

“…A recent survey of German pilots [35] confirmed these findings. It also found that about 20% of the respondents had experienced at least one accident involving personal injury and that more than half of them had experienced at least one accident involving damage to a vessel [35] . This suggests that pilotage accidents may be common.…”

“…Research on offshore platform workers and Great Barrier Reef pilots has shown that the intermittent and prolonged absence of platform workers and pilots can leave their spouses feeling emotionally and socially isolated and can affect family life and relationships [33] , [36] . In more recent research, pilots complained about the difficulties of reconciling work and family obligations [35] . Similarly, in this research, a common complaint was that the restrictions prevented them from going home regularly.…”

“…Their availability and competence are critical for efficient port operations. Although pilotage-related research is limited so far [13] , [26] , [41] , previous research has indicated that pilotage accidents are common [35] and that poor communication and coordination between pilots and duty officers has been identified as a contributing factor in most of these accidents [1] , [13] , [14] , [54] . In addition, previous research has suggested that pilots face a number of work-related challenges, including long shifts, challenging tasks, commercial pressures, and irregular, unpredictable and unsocial working hours, which often lead to stress, fatigue, and family conflict [28] , [35] .…”

Technology and Performance of Maritime Industry in Malaysia

“…Hence, by having ineffective MIS in the organization, it could contribute to many disadvantages especially in maritime industry. This can be supported by Oldenburg et al, [24], which stated that Maritime pilots need 24 hours to standby in order to navigate ships, thus lead to very stressful working situation. As maritime pilots are key stakeholders in maritime industry, it will give many advantages to them if there is effective management by using MIS [2].…”