Using Serious Gaming To Make Operations Safer On Anchor Handling Tugs

Using Serious Gaming To Make Operations Safer On Anchor Handling Tugs

Bhatt, K.

Koornneef, F. (mentor)
Lukosch, H.K. (mentor)
Schothorst, P. (mentor)
Verbraeck, A. (mentor)

Technology, Policy and Management

Values, Technology and Innovation

Engineering & Policy Analysis

2015-08-24

To an observer, it might appear that anchor handling is a fairly simple straightforward and profit making business. However, with deep-water drilling and fluctuations in price of oil, the operation is becoming riskier than ever before. Besides, operational and environmental constraints, the crew also has to deal with pressures of time and money. This causes severe strain on the bridge officers and consequent incorrect decision-making can jeopardise the entire operation. Moderating these human factors via a training simulator can dramatically improve safety of the operation. The objective of the thesis is thus to moderate these human factors by the design of a robust and affordable anchorhanding training simulator. This objective is realised by combining the fields of safety science and game design. The scope of this thesis is limited to the operational aspects with a focus on human factors. The primary audience for this simulator is the bridge crew. The main research question is formulated as: “How can a simulation game be used to improve the safety on an anchor handling vessel?”. Systems oriented approach was used to achieve the objective. The research progressed in non-linear iterative steps. The risk identification part was achieved using the SPEAR methodology in which various aspects of operation description, risk identification, scenario modelling and quantification were performed. Techniques like summary matrices, scenario swimlanes and AHP were used in the SPEAR methodology. Novel and uncertain scenarios were identified and developed for the use in the game. The entire step was supplemented by interviews with experts to understand the practicalities of the operation. This provided the stepping stone for the next stage of game design. Based on risk identification, an online game was created and disseminated to expert mariners. This game was meant to be a prototype for the further development of an adequate training medium. Prior to dissemination the game was verified using cognitive walkthrough method and post-dissemination it was evaluated using Raser's (1969) criteria for validation. This thesis relies on adaptations and modifications in methods from diverse fields for the purpose of this thesis e.g.: SPEAR methodology, AHP, scenario swimlanes, Safe Envelope of Operations (SOE), Raser's criteria and merging Triadic Game Design (TGD) into Game Design & Development (GDD). These means stand uniquely by themselves and are a testament to creative adaptation and the systems engineering approach. The game although verified was not validated fully. This was primarily due to psychological problems. However, overall the game does show the promise of moderating human factors. Hence, a set of recommendations are specified for implementing a realistic training simulator. These specifications are based on the books of GDD and TGD. To answer the main research question: Operations on an AHTSV are definitely dangerous and one wrong decision can capsize the vessel or jeopardize the entire operation. Ensuring safety by moderating human factors is therefore very important. Although in the hypotheses it could not be conclusively proven whether there is lack of training for correct decision making or there exists low situation awareness. One thing is however certain, in case of unexpected and tense situations the decision making and situation awareness will definitely decline. There is also the issue of young officers who have not experienced all situations. Moreover, it is impractical to assume that any mariner would have experienced all possible situations. Therefore, there is a need of a training media such as a simulation game which can help moderate human factors at the trainee's ease thereby making operations safer. It can help increase situation awareness and improve decision making. A simulator is a preferred medium for imparting such training. At least the dimensions of psychological reality and player centeredness must be carefully included in this simulator to make the training realistic and increase the capability of the training simulator. Finally, the following recommendations are for future research: 1. Research into the level of training of the young crew with current traditional methods versus training simulators. 2. Illusory superiority is well documented in literature, but in shipping there is a culture of information opacity or hiding also present the problem of small sample sizes (as is the case with this thesis). Therefore, research is recommended with large sample sizes into the level of training and cognitive issues (not limited to situation awareness and correct decision making) of mariners. 3. Research is recommended into the change of cognitive capabilities of the crew under stressful and unique situations. 4. In the Appendix the problems due to equilibrioception and the lack of suitable motion platforms is discussed. Future research in the development of platforms in anchor-handing simulators that create realism without causing motion-sickness is recommended. 5. Further development of scenario swimlanes as briefing tool and SOE as a debriefing tool by VSTEP 6. In this thesis the stages of elaboration and tuning were not executed. It is recommended to use the results of this thesis as a basis for the complete design of an anchor-handing training simulator.

simulator
training
risk
scenario
triadic game design
gaming
safety

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:4d3c963b-f192-4020-b08c-f9fbe2ef1b53

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2015 Bhatt, K.