Crew response to motions of an offshore oil production and storage vessel

摘要

Crew living and working on board floating production and storage offshore vessels (FPSOs) in the North Sea are exposed to the motions of the vessels. A study investigated the effects of motions on crew members over a six month period during the winter months (October 1998 - March 1999). Task performance difficulties, motion sickness, health symptoms, fatigue and sleep problems experienced whilst working offshore were investigated. Two main methods of data callection were employed: measurement of the vessel motions in six axes and a questionnaire survey of crewmembers. Using the questionnaire, the crew reported their task performance difficulties, motion sickness, health symptoms, fatigue and sleep problems using a 0 to 5 rating scale. For all aspects of the study, the magnitude of acceleration (in the vertical direction) showed the greatest association with problems reported. Performance problems were greatest for tasks involving balance, moving, lifting and carrying. The incidence of reported vomiting was lower than expected for the study period; symptoms most frequently reported were headaches, tension and anxiety, and musculoskeletal problems. Sleep interruptions and sleep quality were the principal sleep and fatigue problems reported. Motion, noise and vibration were cited as the major causes of sleep interruptions.