Development of a new tool for objective risk assessment and comparative analysis at coastal waters

ABSTRACT The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) introduced maritime traffic risk assessment models such as Waterway Risk Assessment Program and Ports and Waterway Safety Assessment for being used in ports and approaches. Having said that, its effectiveness was not fully verified at coastal waters yet. According to statistics, most accidents occurred at coast by human factor. It needs to develop a new tool for coast considering human factor. For that reason, this study aimed at developing a new coastal model. Common risk factors of the risk assessment models from three maritime states were identified by data availability at coastal waters, and risk incidences drawn by quantitative data and risk weight by qualitative survey were calculated for the indexed factors. The newly developed model, Numerical Risk Assessment Model for Coast (NURI-C), successfully indicated conspicuous risks in an area and the risk level of each target water for comparative analysis. Therefore, it could be utilized for identifying which area is more dangerous along the coast and which risk factor in an area needs first care. NURI-C might be useful not only for safe navigation but also for efficient distribution of limited available resources to coastal safety