The Role Of Human Fatigue Factor Towards Maritime Casualties

The international studies on maritime accidents has shown that fatigue is continuing to be either the main cause or a contributory factor in a considerable number of casualties at sea resulting in the loss of life and damage to the environment and property. In fact, fatigue??s detrimental role toward performance at work is leading to errors being made and consequently resulting in fatalities. In light of these considerations, fatigue issue is of great importance to seafarers, the shipping industry and to the international maritime organizations. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of fatigue on seafarers which leads to casualties of human life and property at sea. In this regard, the authors support the idea that indeed fatigue plays a detrimental role on seafarers which in turn may impact the normal operation of ships while at sea resulting thus in accidents