Monitoring and evaluation of HotStuff model

Summary

This monitoring project was undertaken to check components of the ‘Export Heat Stress Risk Assessment Method’ otherwise known as the HotStuff model.  Temperature loggers were placed on the bridge and on selected loaded decks of five different livestock vessels for 35 individual voyages to measure outside ambient temperature and the highest temperatures and humidity to which animals were exposed during voyages.  These temperatures were compared with daily records of animal mortalities.  Estimating heat build-up on decks due to animal heat is a key equation in the HotStuff risk assessment model.  The information recorded by the many loggers on each deck can be used in several different ways to measure the actual heat rises which occurred.