Search

In most seaports, pilotage is compulsory for incoming and outgoing vessels to use pilotage services. Maritime pilots play a critical role in providing local knowledge and assistance to ensure the safety of vessels and seafarers. Typically, pilots are classified into multiple classes on the basis of their experiences and qualifications. Moreover, pilotage duration is usually stochastic due to various factors, including harsh weather conditions, visibility, and traffic changes. In this study, we address a multi-class pilot dispatching problem with stochastic pilotage duration. We formulate this problem as a stochastic programming model that considers the expected penalty cost for late arrival at each task's location. To solve this problem, we develop a branch-and-price algorithm that integrates column generation within the branch and bound framework. Additionally, we develop a novel labelling algorithm and several effective acceleration techniques to enhance the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. Extensive numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm and show that it can handle realistic-sized instances while outperforming a metaheuristic search method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research provides a current benchmark of the cognitive skills and cognitive processes needed for flight path management (FPM) in current commercial air transportation flight operations. While some cognitive skills for aviation have been identified, it remains unclear which skills are most pertinent for different phases of flight, for different tasks, across different aircraft types, and during operational complexity. Further, there is concern that flight deck automation may contribute to cognitive skill degradation. Two expert pilots participated in cognitive walkthroughs to establish a current benchmark of the cognitive skills and cognitive processes needed for FPM. The tasks involved seven different phases of flight and two different aircraft; the results from two phases are reported--Preflight Briefing and Initial Climb. The findings indicate nineteen cognitive skills, and three metacognitive skills are used by pilots for FPM. In addition, the cognitive process models needed for FPM are all very similar, regardless of the aircraft type, task, phase of flight, or increased operational complexity. These results provide a foundation for future efforts on cognitive skill degradation, training of FPM cognitive skills, and may be used to inform the design of new automated systems to support pilot cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the complex geographical conditions within the port waters, it is necessary to take pilotage operations. The embarkation and disembarkation (E&D) of marine pilots is the riskiest phase of pilotage work, with accidents occurring frequently. In order to examine the key Risk Influential Factors (RIFs) of E&D accident of marine pilots, in this study, a novel complex network model of RIFs of marine pilots during the E&D process is proposed. Firstly, based on the E&D accident investigation report of marine pilots, the causal chain of E&D accidents is extracted, and the RIFs leading to E&D accidents are identified. Secondly, a complex network model of RIFs of marine pilots during the E&D is constructed based on the complex networks theory, and the network reliability is verified. Finally, by comprehensive use of topology characteristics analysis, robustness analysis and module analysis, the key RIFs of pilot E&D accidents are identified. The research results show that pilot and management factors have important impact on pilot safety, ‘insufficient pilot ladder strength' is the most critical RIF. It should be focused on RIFs with high connectivity between modules and within modules, and the risk evolution can be blocked through the control of those RIFs.Abbreviations: BNs: Bayesian Networks; CDM: Critical Decision Method; DEMATEL: Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory; E&D: Embarkation and Disembarkation; FSA: Formal Safety Assessment; RIFs: Risk Influential Factors; RPD: Recognition-Primed Decision; SHERPA: Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach; SOLAS: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea; VTS: Vessel Traffic Services; TECHR: Technique for Early Consideration of Human Reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractResearch on cargomobilities has emphasised containerisation, algorithmic management, and the cost-driven calculus of logistics firms. Less visible is the necessary human labour that coordinates cargomobilities in challenging environments—for example, those workers who manoeuvre ships at seaports. In response, we take to the water to learn how ports function as spaces of everyday mobilities work. We follow a day in the working life of marine pilots—a specialist, locally-based workforce who board foreign-flagged ships to dock them safely. Their labour process is, we argue, a form of choreography: executing motions in correspondence with other workers, infrastructures, vessels, and environmental forces. Increasingly volatile oceanic conditions require technical knowledge of ships and guiding equipment, plus deep place-based knowledge of port idiosyncrasies and responsiveness to elemental forces—working with rather than against swell and wind, tides, channels, and weather. While global shipping becomes ever more cutthroat in pursuit of efficiencies, marine pilots choreograph mobilities with respect for earthly forces and the bulk and power of ships and seas, and thus perform the necessary infrastructural labour that offsets risk. Amidst worsening environmental hazards, we offer choreography as an analytical frame to centre the work, workers, collaboration, and more-than-human interactions underpinning mobilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does place influence the work of global circulation, and how might that work enroll hitherto overlooked modes of collaboration, power, and agency? Geographers recentering labor in analyses of global production and circulation emphasize the labor–capital relation and employer control versus employee resistance. This can limit empirical and political prospects. Instead, we foreground two additional relationships: collaborative relationships of trust between workers across roles and organizations who coordinate circulation together; and relations between workers and place that unfold as tasks are completed amid challenging oceanic and climatic forces. Such relationships are forged by the need to collaborate and provide the foundation for transverse exercises of labor agency. To illustrate, we take to the water with maritime workers (marine pilots, tugboat operators, and liners), observing how shipping circulation is maintained. Seaports are idiosyncratic places—gateways and chokepoints for global circulation experiencing oceanic and atmospheric extremes. Coordination problems are pervasive. Disruption risks require maritime workers to collaborate in place to ensure circulation occurs through place. Demonstrating how the ocean's lateral forces mediate circulation, we emphasize three features of an on-water, place-based labor process: (1) choreographed coordination, (2) situational awareness, and (3) combined multidimensional skills. Navigating a labor process conditioned by the sea, port workers collaborate to manage risks and maintain circulation. In so doing, they also preside over risk and circulation. We argue for collaborative relationships and transverse expressions of agency to feature more prominently in analyses of the diverse, place-based, and interconnected labor upon which capitalist circulation depends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of clean and renewable fuels has become increasingly significant in the power generation and transportation sectors. Dual-fuel engines that employ hydrogen and algal biodiesel are potential alternatives. This study investigated the impact of pilot fuel injection pressures and engine loads on the performance and emissions of an algal biodiesel-hydrogen dual-fuel engine. The engine was optimized using response surface methodology under various operating conditions. The highest brake thermal efficiency (28.71 %) was obtained at 240 bar pilot fuel injection pressure and 100 % engine load, significantly reducing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions. The optimum parameters were identified using response surface methodology at 67.63 % engine load and 245.48 bar pilot fuel injection pressure, with a high model fit (R2) range of 88.89 %–99.59 % and composite desirability of 96.1 %. The potential for optimizing algal biodiesel-hydrogen dual-fuel engines to achieve greater efficiency and environmental benefits is highlighted in this work, as is the relevance of applying response surface methods to optimize engine performance. • Algae Biodiesel-Hydrogen dual fuel resulted 28.11 % highest brake thermal efficiency. • Algae Biodiesel-Hydrogen dual fuel resulted less emissions than biodiesel alone. • Response surface model achieved strong data fitting between 91 and 99 %. • Optimal response surface found at 62 % load and 246.75 bar pilot injection pressure. • 96 % composite desirability achieved using response surface optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study connects to an ongoing discussion about the limits and affordances of simulators as realistic and relevant contexts for professional learning, in this case in the development of visual expertise. Earlier studies of simulator-based maritime pilot training conclude that there are risks associated with so-called negative skills transfer due to a lack of photorealism in simulator environments. The aim of this study is to carefully examine how visual expertise develops in and through training in a simulated environment. Through a practice-based approach to the development of visual expertise, and by using qualitative interaction analysis of video recorded training sessions, the analytical focus is directed towards maritime pilot trainees' talk about imperfections and inconsistencies in the virtual environment during exercises in a high-fidelity bridge simulator. Considering the multi-layered nature of the maritime pilot's visual expertise, findings show that the maritime pilots in training noticed and adapted to the specific methodological and technological challenges when manoeuvring a simulated vessel. During such reflection-in-action, they also commented on and explored the differences between, navigating in a simulator, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, navigating on board a ship. Instead of concluding that there is a risk for negative skills transfer that follows from the differences between the two contexts of navigating, we argue that the challenges introduced by representations encountered when training in a virtual environment may add to the expertise of the trainees and lead to enriched conceptual, methodological, and technical knowledge regarding the specificities of visually demanding and ambiguous navigation situations. In this way, this study contributes to advance our understanding of learning in virtual environments to the frontline of learning research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine transportation is a critical component of global trade and commerce, with ports serving as key nodes for the movement of goods and people. However, navigating these ports can be hazardous, with the potential for accidents and incidents that can lead to loss of life, environmental damage, and economic disruption. This study investigates the impact of socioeconomic factors on the operational risk assessments and adoption of innovative navigational aids for better safety among marine pilots in Lagos ports. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining surveys and interviews to collect data from a sample of marine pilots operating in Lagos ports. The study focuses on the decision-making process of marine pilots in high-risk environments, exploring how factors such as education level, income, and experience might influence their risk assessments and willingness to adopt new technologies. The study's findings have important implications for policies and programs aimed at promoting safer navigation practices in Lagos ports and improving the overall safety of marine operations. The results can also inform the design of training and education programs for marine pilots, as well as the development of new technologies and tools to support safe navigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective and timely collision avoidance decision support is essential for super-large vessels navigating in port waters. To guarantee the navigational safety of super-large vessels, this work proposes a collision avoidance decision support method based on the curve increment strategy with adaptive particle swarm optimization (CIPSO). Firstly, the objective function is constructed based on the multi-objective optimization method. Here, a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE)-based vessel collision hazard model and vessel speed-varying energy-loss model integrating the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) are involved. Furthermore, in response to the limitations of the PSO algorithm, which is prone to falling into local optima in the later stages of iteration, a curve increment strategy is incorporated. To improve the performance of the global optimization, it is optimized using a local followed by global search method. The iterative evolution of CIPSO is used to obtain the optimal decision value in the set domain of feasible solutions. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method are verified by the numerical simulation and large vessel maneuvering simulator, which can provide collision avoidance decision support for ship pilots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an analysis of using a TCS3430 light colour sensor to verify the chromaticity of navigation lighting installed at airports. These measurements can help determine the correct operation of the tested lamp using of specialised measuring devices. The emitted light colour is critical for pilots during flight operations such as take-off, landing and taxiing, especially in low visibility conditions. Chromaticity standards (in CIE1931 colour space) are specified in the relevant regulations of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and require regular inspection of each light point (both in-pavement and elevated lamps). Tests were carried out for various types of aviation navigation lighting lamps. The stability of measurements and possibilities of visualization on the chromaticity chart were assessed. The article also presents software that allows for quick verification of the operation of a given lamp, intended for airport maintenance services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ship pilots and maritime safety administration have an urgent need for more accurate and earlier warnings for strong wind gusts. This study firstly investigated the "Oriental Star" cruise ship capsizing event in 2015, one of the deadliest shipwreck events in recent years, and explored all related hydro-meteorological components in a global mesoscale model. It was found that rather than the missing signal in raw surface-wind prediction, the cumulus precipitation variable (CP) increased dramatically during the accident occurrence, which significantly corresponds to a sub-grid strong wind gust. The effective lead time could be extended from 24 h (deterministic model) to 48 h (ensemble model). This finding was then verified in another two recent deadly cruise boat accidents. The introduction of the new variable aims to improve the current maritime safeguard system in predicting sub-grid strong wind gusts for small-sized cruise boats offshore and in inland rivers. Finally, an automatic response system was developed to provide economical convection prediction via INMARSAT email communication, aiming to explore operational severe convective gust early warning and appropriate numerical mesoscale model applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive competency is an essential complement to the existing ship pilot screening system that should be focused on. Situation awareness (SA), as the cognitive foundation of unsafe behaviors, is susceptible to influencing piloting performance. To address this issue, this paper develops an identification model based on random forest- convolutional neural network (RF-CNN) method for detecting at-risk cognitive competency (i.e., low SA level) using wearable EEG signal acquisition technology. In the poor visibility scene, the pilots’ SA levels were correlated with EEG frequency metrics in frontal (F) and central (C) regions, including α/β (p = 0.071 < 0.1 in F and p = 0.042 < 0.05 in C), θ/(α + θ) (p = 0.048 < 0.05 in F and p = 0.026 < 0.05 in C) and (α + θ)/β (p = 0.046 < 0.05 in F and p = 0.012 < 0.05 in C), and then a total of 12 correlation features were obtained based on a 5 s sliding time window. Using the RF algorithm developed by principal component analysis (PCA) for further feature combination, these salient combinations are used as input sets to obtain the CNN algorithm with optimal parameters for identification. The comparative results of the proposed RF-CNN (accuracy is 84.8%) against individual RF (accuracy is 78.1%) and CNN (accuracy is 81.6%) methods demonstrate that the RF-CNN with feature optimization provides the best identification of at-risk cognitive competency (accuracy increases 6.7%). Overall, the results of this paper provide key technical support for the development of an adaptive evaluation system of pilots’ cognitive competency based on intelligent technology, and lay the foundation and framework for monitoring the cognitive process and competency of ship piloting operation in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This report presents a unique case that illustrates the importance of ocular history and photo documentation of ophthalmologic pathology when waivers are granted. CASE REPORT: A United states Navy pilot applicant was granted a waiver for a corneal scar of unknown etiology. He chose not to pursue Navy pilot training and reenrolled as a United states Marine Corps pilot applicant. He did not mention the previous waiver or subsequent civilian surgical corneal treatment for salzmann's nodular degeneration and was diagnosed with gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy. eventually all information was disclosed, and the diagnosis was changed to postoperative changes from previous salzmann's nodule removal, which is disqualifying for Marine Corps pilot applicants. DISCUSSION: Corneal dystrophy and degeneration are disqualifying conditions for military pilot applicants. A detailed history, to include surgical history, must be disclosed by the applicant. photo documentation and appropriate topographic studies should also be completed and reviewed when waivers for corneal pathology are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In September 1769, William Falconer (1732-70), then a purser with the Royal Navy, boarded the I Aurora i accompanied by a group of East India Company commissioners. Janet Sorensen's essay, "Of Reef Tackles and Halyards: "Marine Language" and the Technologies of Immediacy in William Falconer's I The Shipwreck i ", examines Falconer's linguistic and stylistic strategies to bring a sense of immediacy to a narrative that occurs at a great physical - and experiential - distance from its reader. Moving between meditations upon the ruins of previous empires and the technically specific depiction of the sailors' efforts to prevent their own destruction, Falconer's poem ennobles the work of the sailors. [Extracted from the article]

Environmental disturbances resulting from anthropogenic energy pollution are intensely growing and represent a concern for the marine environment. Benthic organisms are the significant fauna exposed to this kind of pollution; among them, foraminifera are largely used as pollution bioindicators in marine environments, but studies on the effects induced by electrical stimulation are not documented. In the present research, we evaluated the effects of short-term different electric current densities on the viability of benthic foraminiferal species Amphistegina lessonii by checking the pseudopodial activity and defined the threshold electrical density range. After 3 days of treatment, A. lessonii stimulated with a constant current showed pseudopodial activity at a lower electric current density (0.29, 0.86 μA/cm2) up to 24 h. With increasing stimulation time, the percentages of pseudopodial activity decreased. The pseudopodial activity was absent at high current densities (5.71, 8.57 μA/cm2). The viability of A. lessonii exposed to a pulsed current was higher at a low and middle electric current density (from 0.29 to 5.71 μA/cm2) than at a high electric current density (from 11.43 to 20 μA/cm2). Based on these preliminary results, the selected benthic foraminiferal species seems to better stand pulsed currents than constant ones. These first experiments might provide useful information for the definition of the appropriate electrical density threshold to avoid side effects on a part of the benthic community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maritime pilots assist in manoeuvring ships arriving at or departing from a port. The most perilous part of their work is embarking and disembarking the vessel. The operational process of transferring maritime pilots is dangerous because the nature of the work involves risks such as falling from the pilot ladder into the water. Therefore, detailed risk analyses that consider potential operational failures are essential to improve pilot transfer safety. This paper presents a comprehensive risk analysis for the operational transfer processes of maritime pilots utilizing fuzzy extended fault tree analysis (FFTA). FFTA is a robust risk analysis method commonly used in the maritime industry. It is capable of predicting risk quantitatively by addressing the potential basic events of a system. In this study, the risk of encountering an accident during the transfer processes of maritime pilots is found to be 3.95E-03. The outcomes of this paper will provide valuable contributions to the safety of maritime pilots, who have suffered from substandard transfer process. The paper also highlights the failures and deficiencies with respect to operational processes in embarking/disembarking with the aim of minimizing the associated risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the heading control problem of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASSs) in the presence of actuator anomalies. A shared control framework that includes a ship autopilot and a human pilot, is constructed to realize the accurate tracking of the time-varying command signals. Specifically, the human pilot is responsible for high-level decision making such as anomaly estimation, anomaly correction and monitoring analysis, and the ship autopilot is responsible for a low-level task of command following. With the proposed shared control framework, the ability of the ship autopilot can be significantly enhanced compared to entirely automated tracking. Through Lyapunov stability analysis, it is proven that the tracking error is ultimately bounded, while all the signals of the closed-loop system remain bounded. Finally, a simulation example is presented to prove the effectiveness of the proposed shared control architecture for MASSs under actuator anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a new approach to the evaluation of human factor (HF) influence on the risk of maritime accidents. This approach is based on a formal human-ship-environment system definition including the relationships between humans, technology, environment, and organization. Social and organizational factors have already been included in the International Maritime Organization regulations; however, the individual factors still need investigation. A combination of psychological studies and technical operations of sea-going ships has given a huge opportunity to use HF assessment in rule-making processes. The main scientific goal of the research presented in the paper was the development of a method to assess the influence of HF on the risk of maneuvering accidents in restricted waters. This method is based on research within the area of technical ship operation and the results of the psychological profile of operators. The proposed model is based on a quantitative HF model developed by an authorized psychologist comprising personality traits, vulnerability to stress, and risk approach. The investigations were carried out with a group of 32 experienced ship masters performing a complex maneuvering task on the Full Mission Ship Handling Simulator. The multidimensional dependencies between variables of the psychological profile and the risk of an accident resulting from maneuvering errors were implemented into the Sugeno fuzzy model. The developed model allows risk assessment to be conducted that depends on the selected personality profile features. These features can be measured using psychological questionnaires, and then the risk of an accident due to maneuvering error can be calculated for a captain or marine pilot in order to improve human resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pilotage-related errors have led to too many accidents in recent years, resulting in significant economic losses and disruptions in global logistics. Despite its importance, Master-Pilot Exchange (MPX) can be overlooked due to several factors. This study focuses on MPX, a standard protocol for information exchange between shipmasters and maritime pilots to ensure safe ship handling. Deficiencies in MPX procedures have been highlighted in various accident reports, emphasizing the need for improvement. This research aims to identify an optimal MPX process, evaluate potential shortcomings, assess their likelihood and severity, and analyse the human factors contributing to these deficiencies. The study utilizes a fuzzy Bayesian Network (BN) to model the MPX process and identify factors that may lead to its failure. It also employs the Success Likelihood Index Method (SLIM) approach to calculate the probability of human errors in the MPX process and identify the performance-shaping factors triggering them. The finding of the Bayesian method shows that the machinery problem and the navigational equipment problem are the two most significant root causes of MPX process failure. According to the SLIM findings, providing details of "the ship's contingency plan", and "navigational information" are the two most significant tasks for this process. Among the identified performance-shaping factors, the degree of teamwork and harmony, experience and knowledge appear to be the three most significant contributors with the highest human error probability (HEP) in mentioned tasks. This study represents a significant contribution to research on master-pilot interactions, addressing a critical aspect of maritime safety. • The model illustrates the relationships between the causes and the likelihood of failures within the master pilot information exchange process, whilst also analysing human factors that trigger these failures. • The analysis examines the MPX process within a scenario grounded in a significant and actual case study. • The paper's findings suggest that the lack of sharing of ship deficiencies in the MPX process is the most important root cause of failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article, "Coming Apart/Becoming Whole: A Collection of Poems," explores the theme of balance between coming apart and becoming whole in various aspects of life. The collection of poems delves into experiences such as birth, surgery, healthcare workers' struggles, the regenerative nature of the liver, and the impact of genetics. The poems highlight the vulnerability, commonality, and complexity of these experiences, ultimately bringing people together while also tearing them apart. The poems offer a unique perspective on these topics and provide insight into the emotional and physical aspects of these experiences. The document is a collection of four poems and their accompanying commentaries, each offering further understanding of the inspiration and meaning behind the poems. [Extracted from the article]

A free sorting task was applied to sort chocolate proteins bars by trained and untrained panelists. Trained and untrained panelists sorted the nine chocolate proteins bars samples into groups. They were then asked to describe in their own words after the sorting was done. Multidimensional Scaling and Correspondence Analysis were performed on these data. Results showed that trained and untrained panels sorted the chocolate proteins bars in a similar way (RV coefficient value). The results also show that the trained panel was significantly more objective than the untrained panel. However, comparable terms were used similarly by both panels and statistical results indicated that untrained and trained panels could be used for free sorting tasks as both panels were able to perform the test being discriminative. Practical Applications: The free sorting task method was used for the first time to differentiate a complex food product with trained and untrained panelists. This task associated with word association was a success and enable the use of this sensory method to potentially understand a strategic local market with consumer feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MV Ever Given accident, which took place in the Suez Canal in March 2021, showed the financial consequences of marine accidents in narrow channels as vessel sizes increase continuously. Fortunately, this incident did not threaten life nor the environment. Nevertheless, it has shown the need for a thorough investigation of large vessel passages through narrow channels and confined waterways. In this study, the utilization of a bridge simulator for risk assessment and determining safety criteria through the Istanbul Strait, which is one of the most critical and difficult waterways to navigate in the world, is given as a case study. In the literature, there are some studies illustrating the navigational difficulties and proposed countermeasures. However, there has been no study conducted to determine the safe passage conditions of large vessels in the Istanbul Strait. Hence, a Full-Mission Ship-Handling Simulator (FMSHS) was used to simulate the passage of large vessels in the Istanbul Strait. Scenarios were prepared and executed together with Strait Maritime Pilots to ensure the realism. After the scenarios were simulated, the outputs of each scenario were analyzed using the Environmental Stress (ES) model to highlight levels of risk that occur during the passage of large vessels, and finally, the necessary measures are recommended to mitigate the risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ship position prediction plays a key role in the early warning and safety of inland waters and maritime navigation. Ship pilots must have in-depth knowledge of the future position of their ship and target ship in a specific time period when maneuvering the ship to effectively avoid collisions. However, prediction accuracy and computing efficiency are crucial issues that need to be worked out at present. To solve these problems, in this paper, the deep long short-term memory network framework (LSTM) and genetic algorithm (GA) are introduced to predict the ship trajectory of inland water. Firstly, the collected actual automatic identification system (AIS) data are preprocessed and a series of typical trajectories are extracted from them; then, the LSTM network is used to predict the typical trajectories in real time. Considering that the hyperparameters of the LSTM network have difficulty obtaining the optimal solution manually, the GA is used to optimize hyperparameters of LSTM; finally, the GA-LSTM trajectory prediction model is constructed with the optimal network parameters and compared with the traditional support vector machine (SVM) model and LSTM model. The experimental results show that the GA-LSTM model effectively improves the accuracy and speed of trajectory prediction, with outstanding performance and good generalization, which possess certain reference values for the development of collision avoidance of unmanned ships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to analyse data from the marine pilots' bio-sensor readings to determine how experience affects their biometrical response during the port approach. The experiences play a significant role in the participant's decision-making process and correlate with the repetitions. Through the repetitions of the experimental task, the participants gain experience, which correlates with the biometrical response, e.g., heart rate, electrodermal activity, etc. After exposing the two experience-distinct groups of participants to the same simulated port-approaching task, their collected biometric data is analysed and discussed. The results show that biometrical readings of the less experienced participants typically vary compared to that of the experienced participants, who take the simulated task more seriously. The study also yields insight into the workload process, involving disturbing factors during the task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When large vessels such as container ships are approaching their destination port, they are required by law to have a maritime pilot on board responsible for safely navigating the vessel to its desired location. The maritime pilot has extensive knowledge of the local area and how currents and tides affect the vessel's navigation. In this work, we present a novel end-to-end solution for estimating time-to-collision time-to-collision (TTC) between moving objects (i.e., vessels), using real-time image streams from aerial drones in dynamic maritime environments. Our method relies on deep features, which are learned using realistic simulation data, for reliable and robust object detection, segmentation, and tracking. Furthermore, our method uses rotated bounding box representations, which are computed by taking advantage of pixel-level object segmentation for enhanced TTC estimation accuracy. We present collision estimates in an intuitive manner, as collision arrows that gradually change its color to red to indicate an imminent collision. A set of experiments in a realistic shipyard simulation environment demonstrate that our method can accurately, robustly, and quickly predict TTC between dynamic objects seen from a top-view, with a mean error and a standard deviation of 0.358 and 0.114 s, respectively, in a worst case scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With more goods to be transported oversea, traffic and vessels' dimensions increase while berthing areas merely remain constant and thus challenge ship masters and pilots to maneuver in small basins with dense traffic even in bad weather situations. Too fast approaches or steep angles of attack result in damages to fenders, quay walls, or even impact the hull structure. We propose a shore-based, vessel-independent berthing assistant system to support sailors by Reference Points that are aligned to a quay's meter markings and identify the precise berthing location by measuring distance and approach speed. For this purpose, we define the concept of a Berthing Support Area (BSA), which specifies an area in which, subject to constraints, safe berthing is provided. Within this area there are Reference Points, perpendicular distance measurements at arbitrary positions, which are implemented with a set of LiDAR sensors that have been integrated into the quay wall. In a test campaign with a vessel equipped with DGPS sensors, we sailed seven different maneuvers and evaluated the precision and the accuracy of the Reference Points for speed and distance measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have found that the temporary consolidant veratraldehyde, which is denser than water, can be used for solidifying and extracting fragile submerged artifacts. However, whether veratraldehyde can be effectively used for in-situ artifact extraction in marine archaeology requires further study. Here, we systematically discuss the effects of seawater salinity, water temperature, and hydrostatic pressure on the veratraldehyde solidification rate, as well as the development of a double-layer insulating bottle that can prevent molten veratraldehyde from solidifying within an hour, the construction of a stainless steel mesh fence, in-situ packaging materials for fragile submerged artifacts, and the veratraldehyde recycling method. Further, the marine environment was simulated and " Nanhai I " shipwreck remnants were used as fragile marine artifacts in a pilot test on in-situ extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, despite the technological advances, and increasing security measures in the maritime industry, it is observed that the effect of the human factor in the marine accidents has not changed. Most of the accidents occur in narrow canals, straits, rivers and entering port areas, resulting in environmental pollution, economical casualties and injury/loss of life. Pilotage is set compulsory in order to maintain safe passage at such confined waters. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of critical human factors on the potential ship accidents under pilotage operations. To explore the identified human factors, depth interviews and a questionnaire study were conducted with masters and pilots. The obtained data was analysed using DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) method to identify the most important and influential factors. The DEMATEL method is used to investigate interaction among human factors and to visualize them with help of causal-effect relation diagram. The results show that master experience, pilot experience and crew training are significant factors compared to other human risk factors. As a result of the findings of this research, it is also thought that improving the collaboration and communication between the master and the pilot will be effective in preventing the accidents. Moreover, understanding casual relations among human factors is important to prevent marine accidents. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was performed for testing reliability of the experts' evaluation and being clear certainty of the main results/findings in the DEMATEL method. It is found that expert considerations to the casual relationship between human factors are objective and sufficient. The findings of this article provide a critical overview of the research literature on the development of preventive measures for policy makers, shipping companies and port authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined the variations of precipitation morphology and rainfall in relation to the simultaneous passages of a Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) event and convectively coupled equatorial waves (CCEWs) observed during the Years of the Maritime Continent pilot study. We utilized globally merged infrared brightness temperature data and the radiosonde and radar data observed aboard the Research Vessel Mirai at 4°4′S, 101°54′E. As well as the observed MJO event, equatorial Rossby waves (ERWs), Kelvin waves (KWs), and mixed Rossby–gravity waves (MRGWs) were identified. The radar data exhibited high-frequency variation, mainly caused by KWs and MRGWs, and low-frequency variation, mainly caused by the MJO and ERWs. The MRGWs predominantly modulated convective echo areas and both convective and stratiform volumetric rainfall. In contrast, the MJO event had little influence on the variance of convective echoes. Moreover, stratiform echo areas and volumetric rainfall were more strongly modulated by the combined effects of the MJO, ERWs, KWs, and MRGWs than their convective counterparts. The intense development of stratiform echo areas and volumetric rainfall was coherent with the superimposition of the active phases of the MJO event and all the analyzed CCEWs. The strongest development and a significant reduction of convective echo-top heights before and after the peak MJO date, respectively, were coherent with the passages of ERWs and MRGWs, which were the dominant wave types in modulating echo-top heights. Thus, it appears that the superimposition of the CCEWs on the MJO event exerted complex modulations on the convective activities within the MJO event. Significance Statement: To improve the understanding of the variation characteristics of precipitation associated with the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) superimposed by equatorial waves, we examined variations of precipitation morphology in relation to the simultaneous passages of an MJO event and equatorial Rossby, Kelvin, and mixed Rossby–gravity waves, which were observed near the west coast of Sumatra Island during the Years of the Maritime Continent pilot study. We found that the multiple time-scale variability of convective and stratiform precipitation was mainly associated with one or two types of equatorial waves, rather than the MJO event. This highlights that equatorial waves can be key factors in modulating the development and variability of convective activities within an MJO event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a maritime pilots' risky behaviour related factors questionnaire is designed to identify and quantify the factors of maritime pilots' risky operational behaviour. And a questionnaire survey was conducted, which included four scales: risk-taking behavior, risk attitude, operational reliability, and risk perception. On this basis, the Structural Equation Model (SEM) of maritime pilots' risky operational behavior is constructed to explore the internal relationship of the variable factors affecting maritime pilots' operational behavior. The biggest influence on maritime pilots' safety behavior is crowd psychology, which indicates that the maritime pilot's mental health course, the psychological guidance course system, the psychological health consultation management, and safety training should be carried out regularly. Random evaluation and attention are significantly correlated with the risky cognition of maritime pilots. The results also explore that the maritime pilots' risky behavior related factors questionnaire has a good structure, internal consistency, and validity in Chinese maritime pilots, and it is expected to be used for the Chinese maritime pilots' subjective risky behavior self-evaluation. In addition, with empirical evidence for pilotage safety intervention in China, this measurement can also provide scheduling and management decision support for Chinese maritime pilot stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haze removal is an interesting topic in multimedia and image processing for many applications. Specially for the automatic piloting of ships, the haze removal technology for aqueous vapour regions plays a key role in safe piloting. However, the existing haze removal methods did not dehaze well for these areas. Based on this motive, this paper presents a new haze removal approach to improve the dehazing effect for aqueous vapour regions, in which we design two new computing mechanisms. The first one is to propose a new gradient change model of the dark channel value related to aqueous vapour regions. The second one is to design an optimized and iterated correction method for the dark channel of aqueous vapour regions. Finally, based on these two computing mechanisms, a dynamic iterative optimal correction model is presented to solve the proposed method. Both the visual and the quantitative experiments demonstrate the proposed method outperforms both the family methods of dark channel prior and the deep learning-based methods in aqueous vapour regions. In conclusion, the proposed method can effectively remove the haze in aqueous vapour regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by real needs of the industry, this paper studies a maritime pilot scheduling problem with working hour regulations. The existing traditional manual scheduling method of the targeted pilot station is actually a greedy-based approach which may lead to an extremely high operating cost solution and also some dissatisfaction of pilots. A mixed-integer programming (MIP)-based formulation is established and a variable neighborhood search (VNS) approach is proposed to solve the problem efficiently. Compared to the traditional scheduling method, the VNS approach significantly reduces the operating costs in different scales of realistic instances. At the same time, working time and working timespan of pilots are also prominently reduced, which hence directly reduce the workloads of pilots and improve their job satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute total sleep deprivation and partial sleep deprivation have negative impacts on cognitive performance. Studies in subjects who regularly experience sleep loss, however, are rare and often restricted to examination of internal sleeping disorders. To address this issue, we set up a pilot study to explore the effects of a week characterized by sleep disruption on cognitive functioning, using a case–control setting in a maritime pilot group with chronic exposure to intermittent extrinsic, work‐related sleep disruption. Twenty maritime pilots (aged 30–50 years) were compared to sex‐ and education‐matched controls with normal sleep behaviour, from the same age range. We assessed subjective and objective cognitive function, including attention, psychomotor speed, memory and executive function using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Although we were able to confirm poorer sleep in maritime pilots and subjective complaints in some cognitive domains, we did not find objective cognitive deficits in the maritime pilot group compared to controls without sleep disruption. This could suggest that in this group of healthy, young maritime pilots, exposure to sleep disruption resulted in some subjective cognitive complaints, but objective deficits of cognitive function were not detected in comparison with a non‐pilot control group. However, given the small sample size, the absence of an effect does not exclude the possibility that sleep disruption could result in cognitive deficits in general. Therefore, our findings have to be confirmed in future prospective studies with a larger sample size and matched controls, regarding age, education and work history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emissions from ships in ports have primary adverse impacts on human health and the regional environment, as ports are close to residential areas. This study investigates the emissions originated from own ship and tugs assisting the manoeuvres. More than 300,000 row main engine rpm data of the own ship and tugboats used in the berthing manoeuvre to a fictitious port executed by 92 actual maritime pilots in a full mission bridge simulator were exported from the system. Based on the rpm data, emission values were calculated by bottom-up methodologies where resulting emissions are differ up to 1.85 times. A significant correlation between the emission results and pilots' demographics and experience-based backgrounds are observed. By utilising MATLAB Machine Learning Toolbox, a manoeuvring emission footprint prediction model is developed for the pilots with a consistency of 73%. The proposed model provides a solution that can support strategic planning in determining emission footprints and developing mitigation measures in a cost-effective manner. • Manoeuvring emissions are the main causing of the air pollution that primarily threatens human health in port area. • More than 300,000 row main engine rpm/sec data of berthing manoeuvre executed by 92 actual maritime pilots were utilised. • Results of berthing manoeuvring emissions vary up to 1.85 times from pilot to pilot. • Emission results and pilots' demographics with their experience-based backgrounds have significant correlation. • Manoeuvring emission prediction model is developed with a consistency of 73%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety psychology of marine pilots affects their operational pilotage behaviour. This paper aims to analyze how social cognition (i.e. attitude and perception) and personality traits (i.e. risk tolerance) of marine pilots affect their safety behaviour through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Primary sample data is obtained by a survey from the pilots of the Shanghai port, with total of 306 collected results. The results indicate the safety behaviour of marine pilots concerning that 1) the hazardous attitude has a significant positive effect; 2) risk tolerance has an indirect influence; and 3) risk perception has both direct and indirect impacts. Based on this finding, the managerial implications for pilotage safety include that 1) the reduction of the level of hazardous attitude of marine pilots can improve the safety behaviour of marine pilots, 2) the level of risk perception can increase through psychological training and safety education, which is beneficial to comprise the possible effect of increased ability by pilot skill training on risk tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify and use digital technology to ensure the pilots' lives' safety and to avoid unnecessary delays due to vessels staying at quarantine anchorage during pandemics. The primary means for a pilot to board or disembark a ship is by a pilot ladder. Many pilots suffered severe injuries or even lost their life due to accidents involving the failure of pilot ladders. For this research, a questionnaire with five questions about the dangers and its reasons which threaten pilots' lives, was prepared, and distributed to professionals both in the maritime industry and port operations. Eighty- nine professionals from the maritime industry answered it. The most common causes affecting pilots' safety were unsafe rigging and not securing the ladder correctly or the breaking of a defective pilot ladder. In addition, interviews made with three maritime experts about the distance pilotage. This study aims to utilize and implement the digital technology enabling pilots to sit in the port control office or Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) office instead of going onboard a vessel. For assessing our innovation, a berthing and one unberthing scenario were designed and tested in our full mission bridge simulator by an experienced pilot. The results discovered during the debriefing sessions and the feedback from other experienced pilots and captains were satisfying, making us confident and comfortable with the innovation idea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Radovi Zavod za povijesne znanosti HAZU u Zaru is the property of Zavod za Povijesne Znanosti HAZU and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)