Author(s)

T.B. Malone, M.A. Creedon & J.T. Malone

Abstract

The major challenges to maritime systems in the 1990's include: escalating operating costs; adaptation of advanced technology in an operational environment; and the high rate of human error as a cause of ship and port system accidents. Each of these challenges can be addressed by the discipline of Human Factors Engineering (HFE). The major component of maritime system operating costs is costs associated with personnel in the system. Operating costs can be significantly lowered through a system design approach that results in reductions in manning levels (and costs associated with system manpower), training time, system downtime, and accident rates. HFE is the formal discipline concerned with reducing manning with no adverse impact on human performance and safety. Application of

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