Concurrent Technical Session 6C-1: Beyond Standards: The Human Interface in Safe Vessel Operations

A 2019 Transportation Safety Board (TSB) study found that between 1998 and 2018, over 16% of TSB investigations identified human-interface design aspects as a factor in a marine accident even though the equipment met regulatory standards. Since then, the TSB continues to see factors relating to the human-interface design as frequent contributors to marine accidents. These include ambiguous, non-intuitive, and complex designs as well as a lack of meaningful feedback from a system. As integrated and automated control systems become more common, and the number of different systems on vessels continues to increase, it becomes more important to consider human factors in the design of equipment and interfaces. This allows for effective operation and control while providing concise feedback to aid the operator. Equipment and systems that are designed to ensure that use errors are eliminated or reduced to the extent possible are more predictable and can be operated efficiently and safely within the design intent, while increasing the effectiveness of training and familiarization. In the maritime industry, the application of human-centered design (HCD) in design is limited, despite the existence of human factors standards for design and layout of equipment (e.g., ASTM International F1166-07, 2013). The International Association of Classification Societies has published non-mandatory recommendations for structural design that includes the human element and notes that consideration of the “complex interface between systems and people onboard” ships is an important factor for safety. But for vessel operators, owners, and designers without training in human factors, what does this mean? Through a review of relevant marine occurrences investigated by the TSB over the last 10 years, this presentation will examine the impact of design on safe and effective vessel operations, to illustrate how incorporating HCD into ship and equipment design could improve safety and reduce the cost of accidents.

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Concurrent Technical Session 6C-2: The Canadian Coast Guard's Future Fleet: Designing for Operational Demands in Canada's Arctic Regions

Recent years have seen increased demands on vessels operating in or near polar waters due to climate change, increased presence, scientific research, and national sovereignty. This presentation examines the design strategies employed by the Canadian Coast Guard to ensure safety, reliability, and performance in extreme polar conditions. Designing ships for the Arctic is a multifaceted challenge that begins with clearly defining the operational profile of each vessel and understanding the unique environmental conditions to which it will be exposed. Preparing these vessels requires a tailored approach that draws from both classification requirements and regulatory guidance, while also integrating decades of operational experience in these polar regions. The Canadian Coast Guard is widely regarded as one of the most capable Canadian Arctic operators. As such, it cannot rely on precedent from other agencies or commercial operators when it comes to winterisation and survivability in polar regions. In many cases, the operational demands placed on Coast Guard vessels exceed the baseline requirements of the Polar Code and class societies with regard to winterisation. This presentation will highlight the Coast Guard’s holistic approach to Arctic capability by ensuring ships are designed for their intended missions, equipped with systems and structures that can withstand harsh polar conditions, and operated by highly trained and knowledgeable crews. It will also touch on the gap between regulatory compliance and true operational readiness in the Arctic, and how design, operation, and experience are integrated to meet that challenge.