The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published Marine Guidance Note 505 looking at statutory duties, causes of fatigue and guidance on good practice. This is a comprehensive and useful document. It reminds owners, operators, managers and all personnel working on board seagoing, domestic and inland waterway vessels about their duties under UK and international shipping legislation in relation to fatigue, and provides some practical information and guidance for consideration about;
i) Factors leading to fatigue and impaired fitness for duty,
ii) Policies and practices which can reduce the cause and impact of fatigue and other performance impairing factors
iii) Development and use of fatigue management plans to improve the identification, management and reduction of fatigue and other performance impairing factors,
iv) Useful checklists to help identify fatigue and stress and take preventative actions, and
v) Useful sources of additional information about fatigue and fatigue management.
Marine Guidance Note 505 can be accessed HERE
