journal article·2025-07-08Open access

Data-Driven Simulation of Navigator Stress in Close-Quarter Ship Encounters: Insights for Maritime Risk Assessment and Intelligent Training Design

Joe Ronald Kurniawan Bokau, Youngsoo Park, Daewon Kim

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 14

Abstract

This study presents a data-driven analysis of navigator stress and workload levels in simulated ship encounters within restricted waters, leveraging real-world automatic identification system (AIS) data from Makassar Port, Indonesia. Six close-quarter scenarios were recreated to reflect critical encounter geometries, and 24 Indonesian seafarers were evaluated using heart rate variability (HRV), perceived stress scale (PSS), and task load index (NASA-TLX) workload assessments. The results indicate that crossing angles, particularly 135° port and starboard encounters, significantly influence physiological stress levels, with age being a moderating factor. Although no consistent relationship was found between workload and HRV metrics, the findings underscore key human factors that may impair navigational performance under cognitively demanding conditions. By integrating AIS-derived traffic data with simulation-based human performance monitoring, this study supports the development of intelligent maritime training frameworks and adaptive decision support systems. The research contributes to broader efforts toward enhancing navigational safety and situational awareness amid increasing automation and traffic densities at sea.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Maritime Navigation and Safety · Human-Automation Interaction and Safety · Marine and Coastal Research

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Division of Navigation Convergence Studies, National Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 49112, Republic of Korea

Funding

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korea

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