A conceptual method for assessing seafarers’ perceptions: video-based gaze similarity analysis

Abstract Situational awareness is critical to maritime safety, particularly with the rise of autonomous ships, which pose risks such as automation bias and complacency. Traditional assessment methods using ships or simulators are resource-intensive and hinder research progress. To address this, this paper introduces and demonstrates a conceptual method that integrates ship operational videos, eye-tracking technology, and image processing to analyze seafarers’ gaze behavior. This approach enables both qualitative and quantitative assessment of perception, a key component of situational awareness. Its utility is demonstrated through a proof-of-concept comparison of three seafarers with varying expertise during entering and leaving port operations. The results show that the method effectively captures and quantifies gaze differences between the seafarers, offering a practical, scalable way to assess perceptual performance in maritime contexts.