Effects of Shiftwork on the Performance of Watchstanders at Coast Guard Communication Stations

摘要

An analysis of a Coast Guard watch system is presented. Current theory and research on shiftwork is documented and discussed to provide background for the analysis. An examination is made to evaluate personnel performance as a function of location within the existing watch schedule. A survey is conducted among watchstanding personnel to examine their opinions and motivations towards the existing watch schedule and relevant factors. Results indicate that there are minor differences between performance during day watches and performance during night watches. Similarly, the study indicated that performance within a given watch declines as time on watch increases for day watches only; this pattern does not hold for night watches.