Affiliations: [a] Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| [b] Volgenau School of Engineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| [c] Alaska Marine Safety Education Association, Sitka, AK, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Maria T. Bulzacchelli, PhD, Associate Teaching Professor and Director, Undergraduate Program in Public Health Studies, Johns Hopkins University, 3505 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA. E-mail: mbulzac1@jhu.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Unique hazards make commercial fishing a hazardous occupation. Effective safety measures exist, but numerous barriers hinder their adoption. Two mobile apps aim to make performing crucial safety practices easier: the Small Craft Motion Program (SCraMP), which provides vessel stability information, and FVdrills, which provides checklists for running safety drills. OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to obtain feedback from commercial fishing captains who tested SCraMP or FVdrills for its usefulness during typical fishing operations. METHODS:A convenience sample of commercial fishing captains with iOS devices tested either FVdrills or SCraMP. After one month, participants provided feedback via online questionnaire. The main outcome variables were self-reported app use and perceived usefulness of the app. RESULTS:Thirty-two participants who were asked to try FVdrills (n = 16) or SCraMP (n = 16) completed follow-up questionnaires. Twelve participants in the FVdrills group (75.0%) reported using the app. Of these 12, eight (66.7%) rated FVdrills “Very” or “Extremely” useful, and 11 (91.7%) agreed that FVdrills is “easy to use.” Nine participants in the SCraMP group (56.3%) reported using the app. Of these nine, only one participant (11.1%) rated SCraMP “Very” or “Extremely” useful and only two (22.2%) agreed that SCraMP is “Easy to use.” CONCLUSION:Commercial fishing captains who already own a smartphone or tablet may be willing to try a new mobile app addressing safety issues related to their work. App developers and safety professionals should conduct multiple rounds of formative evaluation, field-testing, and refinement to optimize ease of use and usefulness.
Keywords: Occupational safety, mHealth, mobile technology, evaluation, field-test
