Leadership, Human Factors and Resource Management
What the exam tests
Leadership, Human Factors and Resource Management tests bridge resource management, communication, situational awareness, fatigue, authority gradient and safety culture. The exam asks for behaviour, not theory alone.
Core rules and concepts
- Closed-loop communication: order, repeat-back, confirmation, execution.
- Situational awareness: monitor position, traffic, weather, machinery and crew workload; challenge deviations.
- Authority gradient: too steep suppresses challenge; too flat delays decisions. The master should invite dissent.
- Fatigue impairs vigilance and decision-making; manage rest, workload and watch rotation.
- Just culture: report errors without blame, but hold deliberate violations accountable.
- STCW 2010 Manila amendments require human element, leadership and teamwork training.
- Use graded assertion: state the observation, concern, recommendation and ask for a response.
Worked example
The OOW believes the pilot's speed is too high in fog. Instead of silence, use graded assertion: 'Pilot, I am concerned about our speed in restricted visibility; we have a target at 2 nm. I recommend reducing to manoeuvring speed.' State observation, concern and recommendation. The master supports the challenge and records the decision. This preserves the pilot's expertise while closing the communication loop.
Traps
Assuming the master's presence improves teamwork; using a steep because-I-said-so style; treating fatigue as weakness; blaming the last person in the error chain; and failing to debrief.
Key points: closed-loop communication; situational awareness; authority gradient; fatigue; just culture; graded assertion.