Manpower Evaluation Using Modeling and Simulation for an Underway Canadian Surface Combat Ship
Abstract
We used discrete event modeling/simulation to assess the current manning plan (N=217 sailors) of the Halifax-class frigate in terms of sailor workload, sleep, and task completion. This thesis described the two models developed with the IMPRINT Pro Forces module. The baseline model included planned activities and expected unplanned events. The second ("augmented") model included all activities and events of the first model plus a number of rarely occurring unplanned events (e.g., fires, floods). Both models assumed a 10-day underway. Results showed that time spent on planned activities, including maintenance, was reduced across all departments in order to support unplanned events, resulting in increased time on duty and reduction in sleep. Specifically, 59 percent of the sailors in the baseline model averaged between 13 and 15 daily duty hours, whereas 6.5 percent of the sailors slept on average less than seven hours per day. With the introduction of operationally relevant unplanned events in the augmented model, the percentage of sleep-deprived sailors increased to 35 percent (a five-fold increase). Watchstanders, starboard particularly, were the most burdened among the crew. Of note, two of the high-priority unplanned events, rescue stations and boarding stations, saw occasional delays and interruptions. Current ship acquisition programs of the Royal Canadian Navy should consider discrete event modeling/simulation to aid decisions regarding manpower determination.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1126554
Entities
People
- Tommy Poirier
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School