• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2017

As preliminary work for the establishment of a harmonized ship hand signal standard, this paper explores the availability of hand signals as a means of shipboard work communication and considers the validity of standardization. Prior to the feasibility study, shipboard work activities that use hand signals were classified based only on ship safety managers' arbitrary decisions. This survey was carried out to measure shipboard workers' willingness to communicate with hand signals and their preferences regarding the institutional standardization of a hand signal framework if they engage in activities classified as relevant. The results of statistical analysis (a t-test and correlation analysis) showed that respondents are willing to accept harmonized hand signals regardless of both their work type (crew/safety supervisors) and work department (deck/engine room) under working situations where hand signals are an available means of communication. In addition, there was a significant difference in the extent of shipboard workers' frequency of hand signal usages between each type of work activity, indicating a significant positive (+) correlation between frequency of usage and preference for standardization. Finally, it was concluded that shipboard work communication would be effectively improved if a follow-up study is carried out to establish prioritized harmonized hand signal standards for port-related work activities, such as crane operation, windlass/winch operation, line movement/delivery and cargo hold operations.