IDENTIFYING THE EFFECTS OF SHIPBOARD AUTOMATION ON MARINER QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN

摘要

Automation is becoming more prevalent on commercial ships, affecting areas such as engineering, bridge and cargo operations. When automation is introduced, the mariner's tasks change, which in turn may require the mariner to learn new skills in order to perform automation-assisted tasks. This paper discusses four methods which can be applied to identify the effects of automation on mariner training and qualifications: Operator Function Model Task Analysis, Cognitive Analysis, Skill Assessment, and Error Analysis. These methods are used to break a shipboard function down into component tasks and to identify the cognitive (mental) demands of performing the function under manual and automated conditions. Any new knowledge and skills required to perform the automated task are identified, as are common errors made by mariners in the use of the equipment. Thus, these methods highlight the training and qualifications ramifications of automation, and can provide insights for improving equipment design.