What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor? Effects of Alcohol on the Performance of Ship Operators

The aim of this study was to specify the effects of alcohol on the performance of ship operators as a contribution to the development of new strategies against the risks of alcohol in water traffic. The nautical performance of 21 captains before and after alcohol consumption was assessed on a ship piloting simulator. The simulated scenarios represented passages of a container vessel through the German Bight. Performance was examined by nautical instructors according to standardized protocols. Mean blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0.100 (0.024) g/dl before and 0.100 (0.017) g/dl after the performance trial resulted in striking effects on nautical performance. The categories most severely affected were foresight and analysis of situation (impaired in 18 of 21 cases); concentration (impaired in 16 of 21 cases); and accuracy, risk disposition, and navigation (impaired in 15 of 21 cases). Chart work, preparation, and communication were impaired in 12, 11 and 10 of 21 cases, respectively. None of the participants were capable of operating the simulated ship with adequate safety after ingestion of alcohol. From these findings, and in consideration of the well-established impairment of a multitude of mental and physical functions by alcohol, it can be concluded that even low BACs bear high risks in water traffic, a concentration above 0.1 g/dl will hinder a sufficiently safe performance of ship operators. This should be considered in alcohol education and legislation.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03790738
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier
• Authors:
  • Ritz-Timme, Stefanie
  • Thome, Mark
  • Grutters, Geertje
  • Grutters, Martin
  • Reichelt, Jan A
  • Bilzer, Norbert
  • Kaatsch, Hans-Jurgen
• Publication Date: 2006-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 16-22
• Serial:
  • Forensic Science International
  • Volume: 156
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0379-0738
  • EISSN: 1872-6283
  • Serial URL: http://fsijournal.org/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohol use; Blood alcohol levels; Containerships; Human factors; Maritime safety; Ship operations; Water traffic
• Uncontrolled Terms: Ship operators
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01079799
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 23 2007 9:15AM