A comparative analysis between the Navy Standard Workweek and the actual work/rest patterns of sailors aboard U.S. Navy frigates

Abstract

Crew fatigue is a major factor in mishaps aboard ships. Despite empirical evidence that fewer personnel and longer working hours are primary factors of crew fatigue, U.S. Navy budgeting constraints and increased automation on ships has resulted in reduced manning onboard Navy vessels. This study expands research by Haynes (2007) and Mason (2009) comparing the Navy Standard Workweek (NSWW) Model to Sailors' self-reported activities onboard U.S. Navy destroyers and cruisers. Research by both Haynes (2007) and Mason (2009) showed that a majority of Sailors worked longer hours and received less sleep than allotted in the NSWW model. The objective of this study was to determine if similar patterns would exist onboard U.S. Navy frigates. Results indicated that 61% of the participants exceeded the 81 hours of Available Time (work) allotted by the NSWW. On average, Sailors in this current study, excluding officers, worked 20.24 hours more per week than in the NSWW, while sleeping 8.98 fewer hours per week than in the NSWW. Results suggest that the NSWW does not accurately reflect Sailors' work/rest patterns onboard ships.