Impact of working conditions on the psychophysiological state in boatmasters

Introduction. The work of a boatmaster is characterized by a complex of unfavorable factors, including noise, vibration, limited space, social isolation and high psycho-emotional stress. Prolonged exposure to these factors can lead to fatigue, decreased concentration, impaired coordination, and, as a result, an increased risk of accidents.

Materials and methods. The research was carried out on five automated passenger ships. Psychophysiological parameters were studied before the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the navigation period in sixty four people. The study group included 25 boatmasters, 25 mechanics, and 14 helmsmen. The indicators of the activity of the central nervous system, psychological characteristics and trend in mental performance were determined using the PC “Psychotest”. Indicators of the activity of the cardiovascular system and indicators of changes in physical performance were studied using the PC “Psychophysiologist”. Statistical processing was carried out using the Statistica ver. 10 software. The results were processed and evaluated with a standard algorithm using quantitative and qualitative criteria. The estimate is supplemented by a 95% confidence interval, which was calculated by the Wilson method. With a normal distribution of measurement results, the average values (M) and the average square deviation (σ) are calculated. The statistical significance level is assumed to be p < 0.05.

Results. The results of the assessment of the impact of working conditions on the psychophysiological state of boatmasters during the navigation period allowed establishing that despite the results of a special assessment of the working conditions in boatmasters as “acceptable”, prolonged round-the-clock exposure to vibro-acoustic factors of the ship’s environment can and does have an adverse impact on the state of the body in the crew.

Limitationsy. Limited access to subjects during navigation.

Conclusion. The adverse impact of prolonged round-the-clock exposure to environmental factors is manifested by a decrease in the mental and physical performance of shipwrights and contributes to a decrease in the functionality of the cardiovascular system.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was conducted in compliance with the standards of the Bioethics Committee of the Research Institute of Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, established in accordance with the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki "Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects" as amended in 2013. All participants provided informed, voluntary, and written consent to participate in the study (Minutes of the Local Ethics Committee No. 33.1 dated April 26, 2021).

Contribution:
Kopytenkova O.I. – collection of literature data, collection and processing of material, writing a text;
Dubrovskaya E.N. – the concept and design of the study, collection of literature data, collection and processing of material, editing;
Levanchuk L.A. – collection of literature data, collection and processing of material, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: April 25, 2025 / Revised: May 12, 2025 / Accepted: June 26, 2025 / Published: September 25, 2025

1. Nikitina V., Kalinina N., Lyashko G., Pankina E. Some aspects of the safety of navigation in polar waters. Rossiiskaya Arktika. 2019; (6): 44–7. https://doi.org/10.24411/2658-4255-2019-10066 https://elibrary.ru/ltmkra (in Russian)

2. Zub I.V. Features of professional and applied physical training of cadets studying in the direction of «Navigation». Sovremennye naukoemkie tekhnologii. 2020; (7): 225–30. https://doi.org/10.17513/snt.38164 https://elibrary.ru/jphhcq (in Russian)

3. Ilina L.V., Abakumov A.A., Petrash V.V., Chuprova S.N., Litaeva M.P. Professional selection and psychophysiological monitoring the functional status of ship specialists sea and river fleet (problem analysis and development perspectives). Sovremennye problemy nauki i obrazovaniya. 2016; (6): 246. https://elibrary.ru/xibief (in Russian)

4. Matsevltch L.M. Psychophysiologic occupational selection of ship specialists. Meditsina truda i promyshlennaya ekologiya. 2006; 46(3): 29–33. https://elibrary.ru/kfaqtt (in Russian)

5. Gudkov A.B., Shcherbina F.A., Popov O.N., Chashchin V.P. Features of functional reserves of the cardiovascular system in cadets of the maritime university in conditions of long-term navigation. Morskaya meditsina. 2021; 7(3): 14–9. https://elibrary.ru/vzjpwe (in Russian)

6. Melnikova I.N. Influence of occupational factors on sailors’ health. Gigiena i Sanitaria (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal). 2007; (1): 42–4. https://elibrary.ru/hyiwpn (in Russian)

7. Kopytenkova O., Aliev O. Psychophysiological methods for the determination of professional suitability of rail transport train drivers. Internet-zhurnal Naukovedenie. 2014; (5): 120. https://elibrary.ru/tkemvx (in Russian)

8. Karetnikov V.V., Kozik S.V., Sokolova I.A. Influence of fatigue skipper on ensuring security of navigation. Vestnik Gosudarstvennogo universiteta morskogo i rechnogo flota imeni admirala S.O. Makarova. 2017; 9(2): 272–9. https://doi.org/10.21821/2309-5180-2017-9-2-272-279 https://elibrary.ru/ylfwjd (in Russian)

9. Grigoriev N.N., Sigaev D.B. Forms and effectiveness of IMO in seamen fatigue mitigation. Vestnik Gosudarstvennogo universiteta morskogo i rechnogo flota imeni admirala S.O. Makarova. 2017; 9(3): 506–15. https://elibrary.ru/ytxybx (in Russian)

10. Mosyagin I.G. Main problems in health status of navy officers and warrant officers. Ekologiya cheloveka. 2007; (2): 56–8. https://elibrary.ru/hyiion (in Russian)

11. Shergina I.P., Chugin M.A. The impact of physical activity on mental health. Mezhdunarodnyi studencheskii nauchnyi vestnik. 2021; (2): 64. https://elibrary.ru/qsakkf (in Russian)

12. Kukui F. The probability of occurrence of a failure in the ship’s organizational system, caused by the effect of fatigue while watch keeping. Norw. J. Dev. Int. Sci. 2019; (3–1): 34–9. https://elibrary.ru/zbhpjj (in Russian)

13. Sigaev D.B., Shatylo A.P. Ways to achieve the potential of the navigator’s profession as a factor of improving the merchant shipping safety. Vestnik Gosudarstvennogo universiteta morskogo i rechnogo flota imeni admirala S.O. Makarova. 2019; 11(4): 652–61. https://elibrary.ru/rilogt (in Russian)

14. Lützhöft M., Dahlgren A., Kircher A., Thorslund B., Gillberg M. Fatigue at sea in Swedish shipping-a field study. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2010; 53(7): 733–40. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20814

15. Allen P., Wadsworth E., Smith A. The prevention and management of seafarers’ fatigue: a review. Int. Marit. Health. 2007; 58(1–4): 167–77.

16. Sąlyga J., Kušleikaitė M. Factors influencing psychoemotional strain and fatigue, and relationship of these factors with health complaints at sea among Lithuanian seafarers. Medicina (Kaunas). 2011; 47(12): 675–81.

17. Allen P., Wadsworth E., Smith A. Seafarers’ fatigue: a review of the recent literature. Int. Marit. Health. 2008; 59(1–4): 81–92.

18. Simkuva H., Purins A., Mihailova S., Mihailovs I.J. Optimization of work and rest hours for navigation officers on the ship. In: 5th International Interdisciplinary Scientific Conference on Society, Health, Welfare. Volume 30. EDP Sciences; 2016. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20163000004

19. Lysenko A.V., Tayutina T.V., Lysenko D.S., Arutyunov V.A. Assessment of physical exertion on the expression of anxiety depression. Uchenye zapiski universiteta im. P.F. Lesgafta. 2014; (11): 218–24. https://elibrary.ru/taqusv (in Russian)

20. Soshkin P.A. Distress tolerance and adaptive capabilities in naval specialists with signs of professional burnout. Morskaya meditsina. 2021; 7(3): 62–70. https://elibrary.ru/rzuuge (in Russian)

21. Osadchuk O.L. Formation of professional reliability of a specialist. Fundamental’nye issledovaniya. 2005; (1): 86–8. https://elibrary.ru/iujhap (in Russian)