An activity-based non-linear regression model of Sopite syndrome and its effects on crew performance in high-speed vessel operations

Abstract

Knepton, 1976). Since its discovery in 1976, no physically measurable parameter to quantify Sopite syndrome and its effect on performance has been established. Recent efforts to develop high-speed shallow-draft vessels coupled with increased automation and reduced manning place a premium on every crewmember. The manning modifications make it more important than ever to ensure that personnel readiness and performance degradation are accounted for in manning model calculations. This study quantifies Sopite syndrome by using non-linear regression to model activity as a function of time underway and linear regression to model performance. Performance is modeled using the concept of daily activity levels concurrently with ship's motion data, individual demographics and motion sickness questionnaires as input parameters. It was found that over an eight-day underway period, performance on a three-minute manual dexterity task degraded by 2 to 3 percent due to Sopite syndrome.