Human factors in seafaring: The role of situation awareness

The main goal was to identify Human Factors in seafaring. First, a group of experts made a list of adjectives. Then, a sample of 141 Officers were asked to give their opinion about the importance of each adjective in Seafarer's behaviour. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis through Structural Equation Modelling techniques were applied to the data. Two factors were identified in aptitudes: Situation awareness comprising adjectives from levels 1-2-3 SA; and adaptability. From attitudes, first component is Self-Knowledge, component 2 Group Skills and component 3 Drive. Structural Equation Modelling confirmed the factor structure previously found. It can be concluded that: SA would be a key factor in Sea Navigation, there is psychometric evidence of the construct validity; and Human Factors in seafaring can be described using a five-factor model. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.