Human Factors Assessment of USCG 47-Ft Motor Lifeboat

Abstract

Part I documents the ergonomic and safety deficiencies noted during an on-site familiarization and inspection of the prototype 47-ft motor lifeboat. The following human factors operability and habitability problem areas are addressed: steps, platforms, and railings; doors hatches, and passageways; controls; instruments and displays; workspace; and habitability considerations. Approaches to problems are indicated in the form of suggestions for possible redesign, reconfiguration, relocation, or replacement of equipment. Deficiencies fall into these categories: design of ladders; design and configuration of hatches; location and arrangement of controls, instruments, and displays; design of seating; and workspace layout. Part II initiated general and specific recommendations for re-configuration of the open enclosed steering stations. A structured operational test and evaluation protocol was followed to fully address all human factors problem area. Mock-ups of the open and enclosed steering stations were constructed for the purpose of evaluating alternative configurations of equipment layout (see Appendix). Criteria were followed to judge the appropriateness and value of all recommendations. First, wherever possible, generally accepted principles of Human Factors Engineering were employed. A second test criterion was the elimination of dysfunctional arrangements, such as one piece of equipment interfering with another.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA245835

Entities

People

  • F. D. Holcombe
  • S. C. Webb

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boats
  • Coast Guard
  • Deficiencies
  • Engineering
  • Heading Indicators
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Hydraulic Fluids
  • Indicators
  • Junction Boxes
  • Lifeboats
  • Loran
  • Measurement
  • Navigation
  • Platforms
  • Relocation
  • Safety
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Robotics and Automation.
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems Analysis and Design