comdtinst m16114.32c - U.S. Coast Guard

Part 2 – Operations and Missions
Chapter 2 – Mission Planning
Section B. Crew Rest and Utilization
Introduction
B.1. Fatigued
Personnel
B.2. Crew
Endurance
Management
(CEM)
Evidence exists to associate a high percentage of mishaps with prolonged
operations and crew fatigue. Since fatigue adversely affects operational
capability and safety, it is necessary to establish reasonable boat crew
utilization criteria. In doing so, mandatory boat crew mission hour limits
have been established.
Fatigued personnel may not realize when their physical or mental state is
compromised. A fatigued boat crew is physically and mentally
unprepared for the rigors of a mission or to safely manage an underway
emergency. They exhibit decreased coordination, a narrowed attention
span, and a lower standard of performance. This leads to judgment
errors in boat handling, seamanship, and mission related decisions. In
addition, they show a decreased concern for safety and a willingness to
“cut corners.”
Crew Endurance Management (CEM) can be used to control fatigue -
related decrements in safety and performance. CEM is based on
operational experience, analysis of boat crew missions, and a wealth of
information derived from a variety of studies on the effects of shift work
on human performance. The most immediate benefits derived are the
reduction of fatigue related mishaps and improved boat crew
performance. Although crew endurance is determined by numerous
factors including sleep, stress, workload, family, environmental factors,
etc., there are five (5) primary factors that can be used to predict fatiguerelated
crew endurance decrements in operations:
(01) Time-of-day.
(02) Sleep duration and quality.
(03) Stability of sleep/wake schedule.
(04) Continuous vs. split sleep.
(05) Period of sustained wakefulness.
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