Tunnel vision is defined as one’s tendency to focus on a single goal or point of view. The more important the goal or the more threatening a stimulus is perceived to be, the more likely a person is to focus attention on it.
In the first responder arena, tunnel vision is a big deal because much of what responders do is high risk and high consequence. Responders are also goal driven, sometimes to the detriment of their own safety.
Tunnel vision isn’t just a medical condition; it’s a silent, yet serious, threat in the maritime environment.
When crew members become overly focused on a single task or detail, they risk missing critical cues around them. This can lead to miscommunication, unsafe decisions, and, in some cases, serious accidents.
When it comes to developing and maintaining situational awareness, tunnel vision is a big deal. Effective situational awareness is developed from having a broad perception of the environment in which you are operating.
As your focus narrows, you start to miss things. Those “missed things” are like lost puzzle pieces, leaving holes in your understanding of what is happening.
Thus, situational awareness is flawed. This article provides an explanation for the phenomenon we know as tunnel vision.
The Two Sides of Tunnel Vision
Tunnel vision refers to the narrowing of attention onto one specific element while ignoring other relevant information.
In a medical sense, it describes a loss of peripheral vision—where a person can only see what is directly in front of them, as though looking through a tunnel. Conditions such as glaucoma, retinal disease, or extreme stress can cause this.
Onboard, this can manifest in situations where a crew member becomes overly focused on one task. For instance, a ship’s officer might concentrate too intently on radar data during poor visibility, neglecting to look outside or listen for sound signals – potentially missing an approaching vessel.
When the brain is fatigued or under high stress, its ability to process peripheral input is diminished. This attentional narrowing affects multiple sensory channels, making individuals more likely to overlook important cues.
For example, during an emergency, a seafarer might focus solely on calling for help while neglecting critical immediate actions, such as securing compartments or coordinating the crew.
Beyond the sensory aspect, tunnel vision also refers to cognitive rigidity—a narrow way of thinking. This includes over-focusing on one solution, ignoring alternatives, or failing to recognize broader implications and consequences.
Tunnel Vision, Fatigue, and Loss of Awareness
In 2008, Swinburne University studied the effects of acute sleep deprivation on visual attention and processing in professional drivers using a “tunnel vision” task.
Nineteen drivers were tested after 27 hours of sleep deprivation and again after a normal night’s sleep. The results were clear: sleep deprivation led to slower reaction times and more missed signals in both central and peripheral vision.
The findings are particularly relevant at sea, where fatigue and stress are commonplace. During high-traffic transits, adverse weather, or emergencies, stress can cause officers to fixate on one source – such as the ECDIS – while missing nearby small craft, debris, or crew communications.
Fatigue further exacerbates the issue by reducing vigilance and slowing response times.
Maritime accident reports frequently cite reduced situational awareness due to stress or fatigue as contributing factors in collisions and near-misses.
According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation, fatigue is responsible for approximately 25% of marine casualties.
A recent World Maritime University report reinforces this, revealing that 28.1% of seafarers report getting less than 10 hours of rest, and 88.3% have exceeded work/rest hour limits at least once a month.
Mitigation Strategies
#1 Enhancing Visual Awareness and Perception
Given the strong link between stress, fatigue, and reduced situational awareness, proactive measures are essential. Understanding the risks of tunnel vision is just the first step; knowing how to counter them is key.
A 2018 publication by CHIRP Maritime and University College London titled “Perception, Decision Making and Fatigue at Sea” offers practical guidance:
- Avoid lone work during safety-critical tasks. Human attention is limited; teamwork is vital.
- Shift visual focus regularly and share lookout responsibilities.
- Use proper lighting and spend time in natural daylight to improve visual perception.
Additionally, fostering a culture of open communication helps prevent dangerous oversights:
- Encourage questioning at all levels, even of senior officers.
- Use closed-loop communication to confirm critical decisions.
- Promote group decision-making over isolated judgments.
- Engage all crew members to avoid the “bystander effect.”
#2 Escaping the Tunnel Vision Trap
Tunnel vision doesn’t just limit physical awareness; it narrows thinking and emotional engagement.
In isolated, high-pressure environments like ships, individuals may become so task-focused that they lose perspective. This can lead to reduced empathy, rigidity, and disconnection from others.
Over time, it creates a sterile atmosphere where meaningful interaction and leadership are diminished.
A video by The Mission to Seafarers, part of the WeCare On Board Mental Health Champions project, highlights that focusing solely on tasks and stressors causes emotional withdrawal.
Yet, humans are wired for connection. We all seek meaning, recognition, and dignity in our work.
Even small actions—greeting a colleague, listening without judgment, or acknowledging a mistake with compassion—can counteract isolation and reinforce connection.
#3 Leadership that Widens the Lens
Tunnel vision is not limited to individuals at sea.
Shore-based leaders and managers can also fall into narrow thinking, especially when focused solely on compliance, performance metrics, or rigid protocols.
“Leaders who maintain awareness, empathy, and open-mindedness create a culture where ship and shore teams work cohesively.
They see beyond immediate tasks and foster human connection across all layers of the organization”.
Effective leadership involves recognizing diversity in stress responses, cultural backgrounds, and communication styles.
When leaders adapt, listen, and lead with respect, they help break tunnel vision not just at sea, but within office teams as well.
Leadership is not only about control and decision-making.
It is about seeing people, valuing their input, and building a resilient, human-centered working environment—whether on board or ashore.
Shifting from “my way” to “a wider understanding” is a vital step toward breaking tunnel vision.
Even small actions, i.e. greeting a colleague, listening without judgment, or acknowledging a mistake with compassion, can counteract isolation and reinforce connection.
Leadership is not only about control and decision-making, but also about seeing people, valuing their input, and building a resilient, human-centered environment onboard.
By Capt. Dimitrios Mattheou
Chief Executive Officer,
Arcadia Shipmanagement Co Ltd.
