Design for resilience: Using latent capabilities to handle disruptions facing marine systems

Abstract

This paper explores how the resilience of marine systems against disturbances can be improved by considering latent capabilities. With resilience is meant the ability of a system to recover and return to an acceptable, stable state of operations after a disruption. Latent capabilities are distinct from capabilities intentionally designed for, and often remain unrecognized even during the operational phases. Our proposition is that these capabilities can be uncovered after designing, and be used in the operational phase to restore system operation after disruption, or to answer to emergencies in the marine environment. Drawing on fundamental theories in design, we illustrate how the function-form mapping can be adapted in response to these needs. Examples from marine transportation and marine service providers will be given in support of our arguments.