Seafarer Experience Key to Maritime Tech Safety as STEER Project Issues First Report
An initial report from the STEER Project highlights how human factors in shipping and seafarer training determine whether advanced shipboard automation reduces operational risk.
Human Factors in Shipping Drive Technological Effectiveness
New research published under the STEER (Seafarer Technology Engagement, Empowerment and Resilience) Project reveals that advancing maritime technology safety requires centering the operational experience of seafarers. Led by The Nautical Institute in collaboration with Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the report titled “The evidence, the gaps and the way forward” demonstrates that technology often shifts rather than removes operational risk.
Drawing on 105 academic studies, 55 industry publications, and 471 casualty reports, the study attributes 43 percent of reviewed casualties to equipment and workplace factors. The findings emphasize that while shipboard automation, digital monitoring, and integrated bridge systems offer operational efficiencies, their safety benefits depend heavily on system design, familiarization, and ongoing support.
Addressing Alarm Fatigue and Skill Retention
A key focus of the research involves the operational burden placed on shipboard personnel by complex digital interfaces. Seafarers reported frequent challenges with alarm fatigue, system workarounds, and inconsistent user interfaces across different vessels. In many operational settings, constant alerts can create elevated cognitive load and obscure genuine emergency signals.
Furthermore, the report notes a growing tension between automated decision-making and seafarer training. Increased reliance on automated monitoring risks causing skills fade over time, making it critical for bridge and engine room crews to maintain active professional judgment. While onboard internet connectivity provides a crucial lifeline for crew welfare, it also introduces challenges regarding constant availability, privacy, and blurred boundaries between work and rest.
For shipowners, vessel managers, and marine equipment manufacturers, the findings highlight that investments in digital infrastructure must be paired with human-centered design and robust change management. Effective maritime risk management requires involving crews early in technology testing and rollout, providing vessel-specific familiarization, and actively evaluating workload impacts. As the maritime sector continues its digital and green transition, integrating seafarer insights into technological deployment remains essential for maintaining safety standards at sea.
