Distracted Operations Sterile Wheelhouse Policy Guidance

This document provides guidance for tugboat and towboat companies who want to introduce the sterile wheelhouse concept on their vessels. In 2019, AWO conducted a survey that found that most carrier members had procedures in place that limited their crewmembers’ use of personal electronic devices. Since then, the conversation has evolved to how companies can help their crewmembers manage distractions more comprehensively. Several companies have moved toward the “sterile wheelhouse” concept for their vessels, due to findings from incident investigations and researching best practices from the aviation industry. Based on their findings, and the feedback of the AWO Distracted Operations Subcommittee Team Bravo, this guide is for tugboat and towboat companies who want to introduce the sterile wheelhouse concept on their vessels.