The Impact of Short, Irregular Sleep Opportunities at Sea on the Alertness of Marine Pilots Working Extended Hours

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of brief, unscheduled naps during work periods on alertness and vigilance in coastal pilots along the Great Barrier Reef. On certain routes, the duration of the work period can extend well beyond 24 h. Seventeen coastal pilots volunteered for the study, representing almost one-third of the population. Participants collected sleep/wake and performance data for 28 days using a sleep and work diary and the palm PVT task. The average length of sleep on board was 1.4+/-1.0 h. Naps were taken regularly such that the average length of time awake between sleep periods on board a ship was 5.3+/-4.3 h. There was no change in mean reaction time across either the length of a pilotage or across the 24 h day. The results indicate that even though the naps were taken opportunistically, they tended to cluster at the high sleep propensity times. Further, frequent, opportunistic naps appeared to provide adequate recovery such that PVT performance remained stable. Pilots did report increases in subjective fatigue ratings at certain times of the 24 h day and at the end of a work period; however, these did not reach the high range. The fatigue-risk minimization strategies employed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the coastal pilots appear to be effective in maintaining alertness and vigilance while at work aboard ships.

The contributions of occupational science to the readiness of long duration deep space exploration

“…Fatigue in the workplace has been associated with increased risk of accident and injury in numerous studies [20,21,41]. However, by modifying performance patterns such as habits, roles and routines, OT interventions can address the sleep problems experienced by astronauts.…”

“…However, this system is driven by variable amounts of daylight and darkness in different seasons and places [3,20,21]. In space, the lack of environmental cues such as natural light and other factors such as anxiety, workload, stress and isolation result in sleep loss, poor quality of sleep, and fatigue in astronauts.…”

“…Circadian rhythms help maintain sufficient periods of sleep and wakefulness enabling people to perform occupations efficiently [3,20,21]. However, this system is driven by variable amounts of daylight and darkness in different seasons and places [3,20,21].…”

“…Astronauts usually have between 5 to 6 hours of sleep per night, and even less in emergency situations [3]. Sleep deprivation is a major risk factor for astronauts because fatigue in the workplace has been associated with increased risk of accident and injury in several studies [20,21].…”

Perspectives on the Chronotherapy of Hypertension Based on the Results of the Mapec Study

“…This is the situation in spite of the fact that the field of chronobiology has contributed significantly to the understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of disease, diagnostics, and effective and safer treatment through chronotherapeutics-the timing according to circadian or other biological rhythms of pharmaceutical and other treatment interventions-thus benefiting the clinical practice of many medical specialties, including allergy, endocrinology, gastroenterology, internal medicine, neurology, pneumology, rheumatology, oncology, psychiatry, as well as occupational, reproductive, sleep, and sports medicine Atkinson et al, 2009;Axelsson et al, 2008;Biggi et al, 2008;Bougard et al, 2009aBougard et al, , 2009bBruguerolle, 2008;Burioka et al, 2008;Burkhart & Phelps, 2009;Camerino et al, 2008;Cariou et al, 2008;Costa & Di Milia, 2008;Coudert et al, 2008;Danilenko et al, 2008;Dispersyn et al, 2008;Edwards et al, 2008;Esquirol et al, 2009;Ferguson et al, 2008;Fietze et al, 2009;Folkard, 2008aFolkard, , 2008bGander et al, 2008aGander et al, , 2008bGrundy et al, 2009;Harma et al, 2008;Ingre et al, 2008;Iskra-Golec & Smith, 2008;Kantermann & Roenneberg, 2009;Kloog et al, 2008;Larsson et al, 2008Larsson et al, , 2009Lee et al, 2008;Lericollais et al, 2009;Lin et al, 2009;McLaughlin et al, 2008;Monk e...…”