Human state monitoring in maritime training – The On Watch case

Authors

  • Mario Ivan Zignego University of Genoa (Italy)
  • Alessandro Bertirotti University of Genoa (Italy)
  • Paolo Gemelli University of Genoa (Italy)
  • Laura Pagani University of Genoa (Italy)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69143/2464-9309/19302026

Keywords:

maritime safety training, human state monitoring, data governance, digital technologies, multimodal monitoring

Abstract

In safety-critical domains, training is a socio-technical infrastructure (spaces, interfaces, procedures, and preparation, execution, and final review phases) that supports learning and the development of a safety culture. From this perspective, the paper proposes an operational framework for Designer-in-the-Loop (DITL) to introduce Human State Monitoring Systems (HSMS) into maritime training, making the trade-offs between digital innovation and surveillance-related risks, such as bias and inequality, explicit and verifiable. Within this framework, On Watch is adopted as a case study, enabling operational testing in a concrete application context by integrating multimodal signals and translating them into non-prescriptive probabilistic indicators, without rankings or automated decision-making, in support of the final review phase. A pilot experiment, structured across three contexts – ECDIS, cooperative bridge, and interview – evaluates feasibility, usefulness, and acceptability through replicable technical-operational and socio-distributive key performance indicators.

 

Article info

Received: 09/03/2026; Revised: 15/04/2026; Accepted: 17/04/2026

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Author Biographies

Mario Ivan Zignego, University of Genoa (Italy)

Full Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD), he conducts research in nautical design and digital innovation.
E-mail mario.ivan.zignego@unige.it

Alessandro Bertirotti, University of Genoa (Italy)

Adjunct Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD), he conducts research in anthropology and design.
E-mail alessandro.bertirotti@edu.unige.it

Paolo Gemelli, University of Genoa (Italy)

Adjunct Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD), he conducts research in naval architecture and training.
E-mail paolo.gemelli@edu.unige.it

Laura Pagani, University of Genoa (Italy)

She is a PhD Candidate at the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD). She conducts research in human-centred artificial intelligence and socio-technical systems for safety training in the maritime domain.
E-mail laura.pagani@edu.unige.it

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Package of minimum artefacts to replicate the study and adoption (credit: the Authors; AI-generated with ChatGPT, 2026). AGATHÓN 19 | 2026

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Published

30-06-2026

How to Cite

Zignego, M. I., Bertirotti, A., Gemelli, P. and Pagani, L. (2026) “Human state monitoring in maritime training – The On Watch case”, AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture, Art and Design, 19, pp. 516–529. doi: 10.69143/2464-9309/19302026.