Short answer

Designers and operators must prioritize noise and vibration reduction strategies in maritime vessels, especially in sensitive environments like the Arctic, to ensure crew health and protect marine ecosystems.

Field: Human Factors
Source: TransNav (2024)
Method: Empirical measurement and analysis
Evidence: Strong effect

New generation DP-class shuttle tankers operating in the Arctic offshore sector are exposing workers and marine ecosystems to noise and vibration levels exceeding established international safety standards. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2024 study published in TransNav. Using Empirical measurement and analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and operators must prioritize noise and vibration reduction strategies in maritime vessels, especially in sensitive environments like the Arctic, to ensure crew health and protect marine ecosystems.

Study

Human FactorsRecentStrong effect

Arctic offshore shuttle tankers exceed safe noise and vibration limits, impacting crew and marine life.

TransNav · 2024

Key Findings

01Vibration and noise levels on selected new generation DP-class shuttle tankers exceed normatively acceptable values.
02Excessive exposure to noise and vibration has functional and disease effects on workers.
03Noise and vibrations from commercial ships can negatively impact marine life, particularly marine mammals.
04There are legal requirements and international guidelines (e.g., EU Directive 2003/10/EC, MLC, IMO MEPC.1/Circ.833) for noise and vibration control in maritime transport.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing or evaluating any product or system that operates in a potentially noisy or vibrating environment, consider the physiological and psychological impact on users and the surrounding environment.

Project actions

01Investigate the noise and vibration levels in a specific product or environment relevant to your project.
02Research the relevant safety standards and regulations for that environment.
03Consider how design choices can mitigate these factors.

Method & Evidence

AimTo assess and highlight the excessive levels of noise and vibration experienced by crew on new generation DP-class shuttle tankers in the Arctic offshore sector and their impact on human and marine environments.

MethodEmpirical measurement and analysis

ProcedureNoise and vibration measurements were conducted on selected DP-class shuttle tankers operating in the Arctic offshore sector. The collected data was then analyzed to assess the levels against established international standards.

ContextArctic offshore sector, maritime transportation, shuttle tankers

Variables

IVType of vessel operation (Arctic offshore shuttle tanker) and vessel generation.

DVLevels of noise and vibration recorded; functional and disease effects on workers; impact on marine life.

CVOperational sector (Arctic offshore), vessel class (DP-class), vessel generation (new).

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses a critical issue in a specific, challenging operational context.
+Highlights the dual impact on human and environmental factors.
+References relevant international regulations.

Limitations

The study focused only on specific types of ships in a particular region and did not cover mitigation strategies.

Reliability & validity

Reliability could be improved by repeating measurements at different times and locations on the same vessels. Validity is supported by referencing established international standards for noise and vibration exposure.

Think critically

To what extent are current design standards for maritime vessels adequate for protecting both human health and marine ecosystems in extreme environments like the Arctic?

Design Principles

"Minimize occupational exposure to harmful physical factors through proactive design and operational management."

This research directly addresses the impact of the working environment on human health and safety, a core tenet of Human Factors in design engineering. It highlights how design choices in vessel operation and potentially vessel design can lead to adverse physiological and psychological effects on users, necessitating design interventions for improved well-being and compliance with regulations.

What This Means for Your Design

Ships in the Arctic are too noisy and shaky for the people working on them and for the animals in the sea, and this is against the rules.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the need for ergonomic considerations or noise/vibration reduction in your design solution.
2.Cite this as evidence for the importance of user comfort and safety in challenging environments.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research by Rutkowski and Korzeb (2024) highlights that new generation DP-class shuttle tankers in the Arctic offshore sector often exceed safe noise and vibration limits, negatively impacting crew health and marine life. This underscores the critical need for designers to implement effective noise and vibration mitigation strategies in their designs to ensure user safety and environmental responsibility, aligning with human factors and sustainability principles.

Source

TransNav

Noise and Vibration Recorded on Selected New Generation DP Class Shuttle Tankers Operated in the Arctic Offshore Sector

journal · 2024

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about arctic offshore shuttle tankers exceed safe noise and vibration limits, impacting crew and marine life?: Designers and operators must prioritize noise and vibration reduction strategies in maritime vessels, especially in sensitive environments like the Arctic, to ensure crew health and protect marine ecosystems. Evidence: TransNav (2024).
Why does "Arctic offshore shuttle tankers exceed safe noise and vibration limits, impacting crew and marine life." matter for design?: This research directly addresses the impact of the working environment on human health and safety, a core tenet of Human Factors in IB Design Technology. It highlights how design choices in vessel operation and potentially vessel design can lead to adverse physiological and psychological effects on users, necessitating design interventions for improved well-being and compliance with regulations.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers and operators must prioritize noise and vibration reduction strategies in maritime vessels, especially in sensitive environments like the Arctic, to ensure crew health and protect marine ecosystems.
What were the main findings?: Vibration and noise levels on selected new generation DP-class shuttle tankers exceed normatively acceptable values.. Excessive exposure to noise and vibration has functional and disease effects on workers.. Noise and vibrations from commercial ships can negatively impact marine life, particularly marine mammals.. There are legal requirements and international guidelines (e.g., EU Directive 2003/10/EC, MLC, IMO MEPC.1/Circ.833) for noise and vibration control in maritime transport.
What research method was used?: Empirical measurement and analysis.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2024 journal from TransNav.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or evaluating any product or system that operates in a potentially noisy or vibrating environment, consider the physiological and psychological impact on users and the surrounding environment.
What are the limitations?: The study does not discuss personal protective equipment or ship's noise protection systems.