TBA GroupSailors SocietyViganPort of StocktonCimbriaTOC Americas 2025
  • Sailors Society
  • Telestack
  • Van Aalst
  • Bühler GmbH
  • Vigan
  • TOC Americas 2025

Ocean Technologies helps seafarers minimise distractions

Ocean Technologies helps seafarers minimise distractions

(Posted on 26/07/21)

Distractions are recognised as one of the biggest causes of human error resulting in incidents, accidents or near misses at sea

Ocean Technologies Group (OTG) has created a new title giving seafarers advice on how to avoid the multitude of potential distractions which can lead to a loss of concentration and situational awareness.

The increased use of electronic devices onboard either personal or work related, a lack of procedures, seafarer stress and equipment alarm fatigue, are just some of the multiple factors that can contribute to crew not paying adequate attention to operational tasks.

In fact, the problem is so widespread that the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has included “Distraction” as number one in its tally of the “10 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements 2019-2020”.

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has also published, in its human element guidance (part 3) MGN 638 (M + F), a notice to all ship owners, managers and masters warning them about the fatal dangers of seafarers using mobile phones and other personal devices when working.

The guidance indicates that “someone using a mobile devices may miss up to 50% of other information that is in plain sight and might be critical.”

It is against this backdrop that Ocean Technologies Group has developed its eLearning title to help seafarers understand exactly what distraction is, recognize the link between distraction and a reduction in situational awareness, identify the common sources of distraction and learn how it can be effectively managed.

Speaking about OTG’s new Distraction title Raal Harris, Group Creative Director, said, “It’s long been accepted that we all have a finite ability to concentrate on our surroundings and that multi-tasking can impair our situational awareness, reaction times and perception of risk. Digitisation brings many benefits, but it also gives our seafarers more and more channels of information to process. We also have our crews operating with an increased amount of personal stress and fatigue due to the ongoing pandemic. So, it is more important than ever that we are able to equip mariners to recognise the impact distraction can have on their situational awareness and performance. And, of course, some tips they can use to mitigate it.”

Latest News

MIS launches as new global media platform

(Posted on 30/07/25)

Maritime Information Services (MIS) has officially launched as a global media platform delivering daily... Read more


Russian and Ukrainian seafarers continue struggle with psychiatric fallout of war

(Posted on 30/07/25)

Russian and Ukrainian seafarers continue to experience significant psychological strain following the... Read more


Noatum expands global footprint with inauguration of Shanghai office

(Posted on 30/07/25)

Noatum Maritime, part of AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster, announced the official... Read more


Smart Ship Hub emission reporting first through Asiatic Lloyd partnership

(Posted on 21/07/25)

Leading vessel optimisation platform Smart Ship Hub has announced its partnership with AL Group &ndash... Read more


KR Representative LEE Jungkun Elected Chair of IACS Safety Panel

(Posted on 21/07/25)

KR (Korean Register) has announced that LEE Jungkun, General Manager of KR’s Convention &... Read more


INTERCARGO-member fleets outperform on safety and compliance

(Posted on 17/07/25)

Dry bulk carriers entered with the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) continue... Read more


NEMO strengthens global role with official status from IMO and IAEA

(Posted on 15/07/25)

The Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization (NEMO) is proud to announce that it has officially been granted... Read more


Industry statement on recent Red Sea attacks on shipping

(Posted on 09/07/25)

ICS, BIMCO, European Shipowners | ECSA, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO have released a joint industry statement... Read more


NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers establishes new JV with DP World

(Posted on 08/07/25)

NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers Limited, a joint venture between Algoma Central Corporation and Nova Marine... Read more


Julia Ju appointed The Swedish Club’s new Chief Executive in Hong Kong

(Posted on 08/07/25)

The Swedish Club has announced the appointment of Julia Ju as the new Chief Executive and Area Manager... Read more


Bühler GmbHTOC Africa 2025Port of South LouisianaVan AalstGeneva DryTelestack
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Port of Stockton
  • TBA Group

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping