The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates on-the-job alcohol use by operators of certain categories of commercial transport. For aircraft, trains, and commercial vessels, the per se cutoff is .04 gm% blood alcohol concentration (BAC). This study examines the effects of alcohol (between .04 and 05 gm% BAC) on simulated merchant ship handling. A two-group randomized factorial design was used to compare beverage alcohol to placebo while controlling for baseline performance on a previous day. The study was conducted in the Maritime Simulation Center at the Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME. Participants were 38 volunteer deck officer cadets, at least 21 years of age, with previous experience on a bridge simulator. Following a baseline trial on Day 1, on Day 2 participants were randomized to receive alcohol (.6gm/kg for males and .5 gm/kg for females) or placebo. After allowing time for absorption, participants completed a bridge simulator task representing passage of a fully-load container vessel through a channel with commercial traffic. Blinded maritime educators measured performance. A main effect for alcohol was found indicating that performance was significantly impaired by this low dose of alcohol. These findings are consistent with current federal regulations that limit low-dose alcohol exposure for the operators of commercial transport vehicles. Further research is required to determine effects at lower BACs.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the learner in this session will be able to: 1. Understand the effects of low-dose alcohol exposure on merchant ship handling 2. Understand the relationship between relative risk and attributable risk. 3. Understand the value of simulation for conducting otherwise dangerous and or unethical experimental research
Keywords: Alcohol, Injury
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.