Maritime safety: An analysis of accident causation and measures for reducing risk at sea

Abstract

The main objective of this PhD thesis is to analyse risk reducing measures for improved safety at sea, which is detailed in five subobjectives: 1. Research objectives related to SRtP regulation 1.1 Develop analytical models to quantify the effect of the SRtP regulation and investigate the effect through case studies 1.2 Develop analytical models to compare the effect of internal failures and external failures 1.3 Identify and assess unintended negative and positive effects of the SRtP regulation 2. Research objectives related to accident causation theories 2.1 Apply different accident causation theories to actual accidents and compare findings 2.2 Develop an enhanced barrier management process by learning from accident causation theories Research for these sub-objectives are conducted with proper research methods in accordance with their classification. These sub-objectives are realised by six corresponding articles: four journal articles and two conference articles. Main contributions of this PhD project are -Development of analytical models to quantify the effect of the SRtP regulation that can form a basis to verify the effect of the regulation, support a cost-benefit analysis, and allow for flexible system design. - Development of analytical models to identify the contribution of internal and external failures for marine systems that enables us to distribute resources efficiently to improve reliability of marine systems. -Identification of unintended side effects of the SRtP regulation from the two representative layouts of marine propulsion systems that emphasises the necessity of integrated assessment of the regulation. - Application of several accident causation theories to two maritime accidents that emphasises the necessity for a combined approach through showing that none of the theories can explain the entire accident sequence and causes. - Development of enhanced barrier management by learning from accident causation theories that is expected to contribute to managing risks and preventing major accidents.