Modelling cognitive abilities of seafarers with regards to situational awareness

This dissertation aimed to contribute to the understanding of the situational awareness levels of seafarers, which is the weakness of the safety management system studies conducted under the human factor researches in maritime domain. In this sense, based on the three-level situational awareness model of Endsley (1995c), the descriptive and causal relations between the cognitive abilities and the situational awareness levels of the seafarers have been investigated by using primary data obtained with various qualitative and quantitative measurement techniques. Stratified random sampling approach was used to represent the Turkish seafarers who constitute the universe of study. Research sample consists of 140 seafarers in three strata: 37 oceangoing masters (aged from 33 to 54), 47 oceangoing chief officers (aged from 28 to 39) and oceangoing watchkeeping officers (aged from 22 to 31). The collection of qualitative and quantitative data for hypotheses was provided in five steps. (1) ANAM4TM computer based neuropsychological assessment tests were used to examine changes in cognitive performance of seafarers. (2) The SAGAT query technique was used to assess situational awareness levels of seafarers during a voyage. (3) the COLREGs "Rule 15" navigational performance evaluation form was used to evaluate the navigational performance of seafarers. (4) The SART multidimensional situational awareness measurement technique was used to assess subjective situational awareness of seafarers. (5) The NASA-TLX mental workload assessment scale was used to examine the perceived workload of seafarers during a voyage. Finally, structural equation modelling (SEM) approach was used to test whether the proposed measurement model is supported by the obtained data.