The psychophysiological state of the skippers of passenger ships during the navigation period

Introduction. During navigation, ship specialists are affected by a number of unavoidable factors including noise, vibration, climatic conditions, ship rolling, monotony of the working process during watch keeping, psycho-emotional, and physical stress. The aim of the study was to assess the psychophysiological state of boatmasters during navigation. Materials and methods. A study of sixty four boatmasters was conducted before, in the middle and at the end of navigation. To achieve the purpose of the study, qualitative and quantitative indicators of psychophysiological status (Choice response, Mobility of nervous processes using a dynamometer) and the functioning of the cardiovascular system under physical exertion (Harvard step test) were studied. The research was carried out using a computer complex for psychophysiological testing “NS-Psychotest”. The results were processed using the Statistica v. 10 software package. The studied indicators are presented qualitatively, by frequency distribution in accordance with their severity in different periods of observation. The point estimate is supplemented with a 95% confidence interval, which was calculated by the Wilson method. In the comparative analysis, a nonparametric criterion was used for McNemar’s dependent variables χ2. To calculate the dose load by vibroacoustic factors, the approaches described in the Methodological Recommendations on the Dose Assessment of Industrial Noise No. 2908-82 were used. Results. The results obtained during the study revealed significant differences in the indicators of functional and psycho-emotional state during the navigation period. Limitations. Limited access to the subjects under study during navigation. Conclusion. Currently, the boatmasters of modern automated passenger ships are affected by factors that can be attributed to the unavoidable. To reduce the negative impact of harmful factors on the functional and psychophysiological state of boatmasters, when developing shift work modes, the determination of the dose load should be applied, taking into account the round-the-clock impact of vibroacoustic factors during navigation. To preserve and strengthen the health of skippers, it is necessary to conduct an in-depth examination and monitoring of the functional state of the cardiovascular system for timely detection of initial signs of pathology in crew members.