Using the Closed Loop Communication System to Prevent Accidents Caused by Human Errors

Abstract

This paper focuses on the implementation of the Closed Loop Communication System to minimize misunderstandings on board ship, which could be main causes of incidents/accidents at sea.

The Closed Loop Communication System is a communication system used specifically to avoid misunderstandings, in which the interaction between the sender and the receiver does not end until the message has been issued, received and, finally, verified and closed by the sender.

The only problem with this system is that its effectiveness is not generally known to seafarers and proper attention is not given to the communication problem as one of the main causes of accidents caused by Human Error.

This work is divided into 3 parts, the first, which talks about the main causes of communication failures, such as sociological, technological or linguistic factors. A second part in which the Closed Loop system is explained and examples of use to prevent communication failures and incidents related to human error. Finally, a third, more practical part, which has some empirical studies based on the results obtained in a survey of seafarers on the use of the system, implementation and its effectiveness. The results of the study can show that the mandatory implementation of this communication system on ships would improve onboard communication and will provoke the reduction or elimination of misunderstandings during critical operations, positively affecting the safety of the ship in general.

The Closed Loop communication system is the future of onboard communications, this may be the determining factor in minimizing something that has haunted seafarers over time: human error.