EFFECTS OF UNATTENDED MACHINERY SPACE SHIPBOARD … 28

5.0 Discussion

Summary of Findings
The results gathered from the survey questionnaire fulfill the objectives of the study. The
researchers were able to identify the effects of Unattended Machinery Space to Seafarers wherein,
it is evident from the result that seafarers believe it is important to know and understand the
automated shipboard operation, to cope with its advantage and disadvantages pertaining to work,
rest, duties, responsibilities, safety despite of one’s age, qualification, and experience. It is also
evident that learning onboard an Unattended Machinery Space is being reduced due to its
automated processes, seafarers were not able to handle such machinery on hand. One important
part of the study reveals that technology cannot replace the human job, in reference to verbal stories
of respondents during the survey, manpower is still essential especially in the event of
troubleshooting.

Based on the results gathered pertaining to respondent’s demography, the average age of
seafarers who were part of the study is between 51-60 years old, where most of them take part as
an operational level crew onboard such as third engineer with the most frequent followed by fitter,
fourth engineer, wiper, and oiler which have experiences between 16-20 and 21-25 years.

The investigation’s findings revealed that Filipino seafarers can maintain their position
which means technological development does not threaten the Employment of Filipino Engine
crew, however, there is still reduction of onboard crew regardless of qualification, competency, and
experience. In addition, working onboard an Unattended Machinery Space is much safer, this
correlates to our result that the use of unattended machinery spaces or technologies will lead to
safer work than on a manned ships or ships without technologies especially to hazardous ships like
tanker vessel. Automated operations onboard reduce human error and promote more safety among
crews and with the ship itself.

Overall, it is safer to work in unattended machinery spaces than in manned ships because
technology reduces human mistakes. Technology will not replace the work of the engine
department on board because human intervention is still needed when technology malfunctions.
Based on the results, it is neutral on what often fails between humans and technology.

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EFFECTS OF UNATTENDED MACHINERY SPACE SHIPBOARD … 29

Conclusion

Maritime industry is embracing the technology which transitioned onboard operations from
manual to automated. This research aims to identify the effects of Unattended Machinery Space
Shipboard Operation System to Seafarers. Based on the results, the following conclusions and
recommendations were drawn:

Based on the analysis of results, Unattended Machinery Space effects on seafarers are
mostly positive. From most respondents aged 51-60 years old with 16-20 years of experience and
ranking at an operational level, it showed the importance of having a knowledge and understanding
of Unattended Machinery Space is essential. The operation in this type of ship is much easier
because of less responsibilities regardless of the complexity of systems. Promotes the work attitude,
rest time span to counter fatigue, safety of daily operation, and other health related benefits. Despite
of the age, experience and crew reduction, seafarers are not threatened with these employment
effects because throughout their seafaring careers, manpower still play a big role in automated ship
especially during malfunctions which means that technology cannot fully replace the human
intervention.

Therefore, we conclude that Filipino Engine crew cope with Unattended Machinery Space
by knowing and understanding the operation onboard especially the set-up of work and rest since
it is a daytime job. Age and experience are not a threat for a seafarer to be employed on an
automated ship, however, the knowledge towards this kind of vessel is essential. This means that it
highly threatens the aspiring seafarers due to evolution of technology in maritime industry, which
makes this important for future marine engineers to study, train and sharpen the knowledge because
technology is already part of future, and future seafarers are part of it.

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION

EFFECTS OF UNATTENDED MACHINERY SPACE SHIPBOARD … 30

Recommendations

The researchers’ findings in Effects of Unattended Machinery Space Shipboard Operation

System to Seafarers at Our Lady of Fatima University, College of Maritime Education led them to
propose the following to the parties concerned to broaden their knowledge regarding the effects of
Unattended Machinery Space.

The study was isolated only to marine engineers because Unattended Machinery Space is
an automated engine room which is related only to engine crew personnel and is related to the work,
health, and employment of Filipino Engine crew. The researchers recommend for future researchers
to widen the coverage of the research or tackle the other onboard departments for broader results
and to fully identify the effect of operational systems throughout the vessel.

Seafaring is one of the in-demand work around the world. Technology is evolving faster
than in the 1900’s, maritime industry is embracing technology and as a counterpart, it changes some
of the operation and created factors to cope with. For Marine Engineers, we recommend them to
study more with the adaptation of technology, especially tenured crew to keep up being competent
even during evolution of machine automation in engine room.

The future is technology, the emergence of technology greatly impacts maritime industry
positively and negatively. We recommend students to focus in studying the automation of operation
onboard, train, widen and improve the knowledge, understanding and proficiency to have an edge
in qualifying automated vessels despite of different systems and machineries complexity to deal
with the working environment of Unattended Machinery Space, including the health and wellness
related factors,

Since technology impacts the maritime industry, we recommend the Maritime Sector, to
provide more advanced training and education especially for future marine engineers that will most
likely experience the difficulty of competency pertaining to experience, knowledge, and skills
locally and internationally in the future.

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION

EFFECTS OF UNATTENDED MACHINERY SPACE SHIPBOARD … 31

Acknowledgement

First and foremost, we’re praising and giving thanks to God almighty for guiding us
throughout this research. Giving us strength when we need it the most, helping us conquer
difficulties and challenges while doing our research.

We would also like to give thanks to Dean, Sir Francis Jay Dela Cruz, PhD for approving
our research proposal and survey questionnaire form which greatly benefits the continuation of our
study.

We would like to express gratitude to our most beautiful, loving, very long patience to none
other than our research professor Teresita A. Cruz, MME, for giving us hope and guidance to fulfill
our insufficiency. Enlightening us with knowledge that can help us overcome difficulties on our
research paper.

We would also like to thank our research adviser C/E. Ronald Perena for giving us an
overview of the study we will be conducting, giving us advice, motivation and empowering our
minds to prioritize what needs to be focused on in the study.

The Filipino Engine crew who participated and answered our survey questionnaire as
honestly as they can.

Lastly, the researchers would like to convey our grateful thanks to our loving parents who
are always there to motivate us every day. Who supported us financially and emotionally to make
this research possible.

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION

EFFECTS OF UNATTENDED MACHINERY SPACE SHIPBOARD … 32

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