Lloyd’s Register (LR) researchers have presented new evidence on alarm fatigue in the maritime industry to Members of Parliament and peers at Westminster, helping to bring the realities of modern ship operations into discussions on frontline safety and future policy.
As part of Evidence Week in Parliament 2026, LR Lead Data Scientist Asger Christian Schliemann Haug and LR Global Head of Technology Duncan Duffy shared findings from LR's latest research into alarm fatigue and its impact on safety-critical decision-making. The session highlighted how the growing volume of alerts and alarms faced by seafarers can contribute to cognitive overload, affecting performance and increasing operational risk.
The researchers met with MPs, peers and scientific advisers, including Professor Dame Angela McLean, Baroness Browning, Dr Lauren Sullivan MP, Mims Davies MP and Lord Mair, to discuss how evidence-based policy can help address challenges facing frontline professionals across a range of industries, including shipping.
Alarm fatigue is increasingly recognised as a challenge across safety-critical sectors, from healthcare and aviation to rail and energy. LR’s research explored how the issue manifests in maritime operations, where crews can face a constant stream of alarms, alerts and notifications while managing complex onboard systems. The findings underline the need for a more human-centred approach to alarm management and operational design as vessels become increasingly digitalised.
Asger Christian Schliemann Haug said: “Alarm fatigue is a widespread 21st-century issue that extends well beyond shipping. It is recognised as a challenge in healthcare, rail, aviation, power generation, telecoms, public warning systems and even the alerts, beeps and chimes built into modern cars.
“Sharing this evidence with MPs is important because it can help policymakers view the issue in a wider context. Good policy depends on a clear understanding of the realities faced by frontline workers, whether they are engine room watchkeepers at sea or intensive care nurses saving lives in hospital.”
Duncan Duffy added: “Regulators need to understand the data behind policy decisions, which makes opportunities to share and explain research evidence especially valuable.”
Evidence Week, organised by the independent charity Sense about Science, brings together researchers, policymakers and the public to explore how evidence can inform decision-making and public policy. Now in its ninth year, the event provides a platform for experts to share research on some of the most pressing challenges facing society and industry.
For LR, the event provided an opportunity to ensure maritime perspectives are represented in wider policy discussions and to demonstrate the value of research-led insights in addressing emerging safety challenges.
