MAIB chief: 'We need to radically rethink the role of human watchkeepers in the digital age'

These accidents, and the resulting investigations “indicate a need to radically rethink the role of human watchkeepers in the digital age,” said Capt Moll in the MAIB’s annual report for 2024. “Humans do not make good monitors and if under-stimulated they will find other things to occupy themselves.”

This can include using personal mobile devices during watches on the bridge, falling asleep or becoming unresponsive to potential incidents.

One solution is for alarms to be set up on electronic navigation equipment, such as ECDIS, to alert watchkeepers of any change in situation or parameters, or of potential upcoming hazards.

"Humans can be reluctant to utilise system functions that will alert them to impending problems"

Another is using a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) that would alert other crew members if the watchhouse is unattended or the watchkeeper is inactive.

However, several accident investigations by the MAIB over the last decade have discovered these BNWAS are often turned off or silenced.

“Humans can be reluctant to utilise system functions that will alert them to impending problems,” said Capt Moll. “The MAIB will seek to explore this phenomenon in more depth during future investigations.”

In his introduction to the MAIB annual review, Capt Moll also highlighted the high number of flooding incidents on commercial fishing vessels and how these boats are not designed to rapidly remove water ingress.

“Losses to flooding last year indicate how vulnerable many fishing vessels are to water ingress,” he said. “Most of the UK fishing fleet have little, if any, watertight subdivision so any appreciable inflow of water can swiftly overwhelm the onboard pumps. In such circumstances, raising the alarm early and being well-practised in abandonment routines can and does save lives.”

Injuries and deaths from occupational accidents on well-crewed fishing vessels have also risen due to unsafe working practices.

“Future MAIB investigation reports will likely develop the theme of moving beyond ‘having a risk assessment’ to the proactive management of risk,” said Capt Moll.

The MAIB recorded 1,631 reports of accidents to UK vessels worldwide and vessels within UK coastal waters during 2024 involving 1,753 vessels.

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