Time off-duty is a core theme for occupational health. Failure to comply with off-duty time requirements can have consequences for safety aboard and for the well-being, health and general quality of life of the individual.
This area is regulated in law and agreements and a whole range of issues have to be taken into consideration which can often give rise to discussions aboard and with companies. There are also various traditions for organizing time on and off-duty aboard and there are certain external factors which can sometimes make it difficult for seamen to get their full entitlement to time off watch.
There is a general lack of knowledge about the specific content of the rules and the consequences for failure to comply with off-duty entitlements for the ship and the individual.
Aim of Seahealth Denmark's Off-Duty Time project
The project is intended to the study the impact of various watch systems on the possibilities for complying with off-duty time requirements and partly to run trials on other ways of organizing the planning of time on and off-duty on the basis of what we now know about the need for rest and sleep. The project is also intended to provide guidance on the consequences of the lack of off-duty time on health and safety and to recommend how to get the best sleep in various situations.
Status and interim results
The literature and knowledge on watch systems and time-off-duty have been investigated, most recently the Swedish study of off-duty time.
>> See the Swedish study of off-duty time
Seahealth Denmark has run a questionnaire survey on well-being at sea in 2008/2009. In the survey off-duty time was a major topic.
>> See the report from the survey A Good Working Life at Sea
Seahealth Denmark has made various visits and tours aboard to gather specific knowledge of the practicalities of organizing off-duty time on various types of vessel and several ship-owners have been consulted. Trials have also been made with other watch systems and duty hours. The focus has also been on whether allocating duties differently amongst the crew could provide a solution in instances where it is difficult to take time off-duty. The project involves experts in such areas as sleep and nutrition and is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.