Emergency Contact Sleepiness and fatigue are ever-present risks to all on board Home Latest updates News Sleepiness and fatigue are ever-present risks to all on board 20 Sept 2017 Download Sign up for alerts Sleepiness and long term fatigue are now recognised as major factors impacting accidents at sea and seafarer health. A recent study found that fatigue and stress levels are perceived to be higher at the end of a voyage with an individual’s motivation, social cohesion, and quality of sleep deteriorating the longer seafarers are away from home. The study, ‘Project MARTHA’, has been conducted through an international partnership of researchers and industry professionals over three years with the findings launched at IMO in January 2017. This article outlines the main findings and provides some advice for companies and Masters on how to manage fatigue on their vessels. The study During the study, 110 seafarers kept weekly diaries for periods of up to four months while at sea. The results from the MARTHA project have indicated that cases of fatigue and stress of crew increases as the voyage length increases, and motivation decreases. Masters suffer more than their colleagues do from both fatigue and stress. Port work is particularly demanding, and the results also show that no one on board gets adequate sleep, with the night watch keepers being particularly at risk of falling asleep. High sleepiness levels can occur at any stage of the voyage and the quantity and quality of sleep deteriorates over long voyages. The results from the use of Actiwatches (wrist worn devices which indicate physical activity) have also confirmed many of the perceptions of seafarers from their interviews and weekly diaries. The Chronic Health Effects of Fatigue If insufficient sleep is obtained on a daily basis, sleep debt will accumulate and this can lead to the following long term health issues: Sleeping disorders, such as: Insomnia. Sleep apnoea. Hypopnea. Delayed/advanced sleep phase sy