Human Factors as Determinants of Marine Accidents in Maritime Companies in Nigeria

Abstract

The capacity to address marine accidents could be enhanced through a thorough knowledge of what constitutes human factors and how they affect marine safety performance. This study investigated human factor issues that are responsible for maritime accidents in Nigeria and therefore gives maritime practitioners strategies for policy interventions. The study adopted a descriptive methodology, making use of survey design to collect data from 284 marine service operators in Nigeria. Data for the study was collected through semi-structured questionnaires, same were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, correlation and regression analysis at p<0.05. Results showed that nine human related factors are major causes of marine accidents; namely: poor crew interaction, crew fatigue, drugs and alcoholism, unsafe vessel speed, commercial pressure from management, complicated work processes, gap in working knowledge, faulty crew judgment and deliberate unruly behaviour; while five of them: crew fatigue, drugs and alcohol, unsafe vessel speed, faulty crew judgment and wilful behaviour of crewmembers, were significantly related to safety performance. The study established that human errors are contributory factors to marine accidents and relationships exist between them and safety culture, hence, human factors can predict safety performance in maritime organizations in Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that Marine Safety Performance Plan, which is part of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, be implemented in all maritime companies in Nigeria. Alcoholism, indiscriminate drug and substance use should be discouraged onboard while a stress management policy should be designed to handle work-related fatigue.