YÜK GEMİLERİNDE MEKAN ALGISI, DAVRANIŞ VE KULLANIM İLİŞKİSİ

Abstract

Cargo ships serve as both workplace and temporary home for seafarers, making the quality of life on board a determining factor in their daily lives. It is known that physical environmental factors encompassing living and working conditions on board may have positive or negative effects on the functional and perceptual evaluations of seafarers (users). While studies focusing on the psychological state of seafarers predominate in the literature, spatial evaluation studies remain limited. Existing studies have focused on general comfort and satisfaction levels or MLC compliance; no study has been found that addresses perceptual and functional evaluation together with MLC standards. This study aimed to determine the effects of physical environmental factors in cabins and common areas of cargo ships on users' functional and perceptual evaluations. Additionally, recommendations were developed for MLC (Maritime Labour Convention) standards to improve accommodation spaces on ships. In the study, users' evaluations of cabins and common areas were examined in terms of functional (satisfaction, adequacy, behavior, and use) and perceptual (perceptual evaluation) dimensions. The questionnaire was designed in a multidimensional manner using Likerttype, semantic differential, categorical selection, and open-ended questions. Rank group, which is a key determinant in MLC standards, was used as the main variable in the hypotheses. A total of 258 Turkish seafarers (users) from different ships participated in the study, and ANOVA, chi-square, and Spearman correlation analyses were used in data analysis. The findings show that the master/chief engineer group gave the most positive cabin evaluations while the ratings group gave the most negative, and that cabin perceptions varied by rank in a manner consistent with MLC standards. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was found in common area evaluations; however, a significant relationship was found between space use and perceptual evaluation. Gross tonnage was iv found to be influential on cabin satisfaction, while ship type was influential on common area evaluation. Based on the findings, recommendations were made regarding the MLC for the clear separation of common areas by function, the introduction of a floor area standard based on crew size, and making gym facilities mandatory on ships over 3,000 GT. For future research, it is recommended that sample groups be of equal or comparable size, and that the place of build be included as a ship characteristic in evaluation. In conclusion, this study is original in that the semantic differential scale was applied for the first time to measure users' perceptual evaluations in cargo ships, functional and perceptual findings were interpreted in relation to MLC accommodation space standards, and concrete recommendations were developed accordingly; contributing to both interior architecture and maritime literature.

Keywords: Seafarer, accommodation spaces, space perception, MLC, semantic differential scale, cargo ship, satisfaction.