Analysis of the Correlation Between Casualties and Human Perception, Cognition & Decision-Making at Sea

Ahmed HANAFI, Ph.D.

Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport

Abstract

Analysis of maritime casualties conducted over the last 30 years showed no improvement in any aspect, and proved that the human factor is still dominant in most casualties.

To improve this situation, technology has been introduced to marine navigation an integrated navigation systems, however, this situation remains the same.

The collisions and groundings of ocean-going vessels continue to concern those within the maritime community, whose environment and livelihood are put at risk by such casualties. This concern does not stem from any proportional increase of such casualties with increasing trade, but from the disproportionate consequences of such casualties, in recent years and even after the application of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.

The present research objectives are:

• Recognize the human errors linked to the maritime casualties (i.e., collisions and groundings) before and after the application of the ISM Code.
• Determine the causal factors closely linked to those casualties, mainly, the special human factors including human perception and cognition.
• Help officers on watch adjust to changes in the industry with a high priority given to education with great concentration on scientific background; training/retraining programs, especially emergency situations, human perception, cognition and decision-making.