P&O plans to double the time crew members spend aboard cross-Channel ferries could increase stress and fatigue and compromise safety, according to the author of a report that warned of the dangers of extending tours of duty.
Having sacked almost 800 workers without notice earlier this month, P&O plans to extend the tour of duty of marine crew – workers on deck managing the ship – from one-week on, one-week off to a 15-day shift pattern. Sources suggest customer services staff will move to an eight-week model.
Chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite told Scottish MPs this week that the new crewing model would help cut costs without compromising safety.
But Professor Andrew Smith, an occupational health psychologist who conducted research commissioned by P&O on its cross-Channel ferries, told Sky News extending shift patterns was not supported by his findings.
“We found that crews on the Dover-Calais routes experienced very…
