Marine vessel control using the tiller-motor system

Operator performance on the tiller-motor system was investigated in a held survey and in a tracking simulator. Boat operators in Study 1 reported both control difficulties and discomfort, when using their tiller-motor system. Participants in Study 2 operated a tiller-motor simulator of a boat naviga ting a river over a 20 min period. Directional and speed control performanc e was found to be poor, particularly on the first trials and under emergenc y conditions. These results support the suggestion that the incompatible na ture of the control/response relationship in tiller-motor systems can cause operator difficulties. The dimensions of the simulator were systematically varied and found to influence operator shoulder extension, and ratings of exertion and discomfort. Recommendations for tiller-motor system design and installation are offered. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. AII rights reserv ed.