Authors: Karlsson, Ulf; Ulfvarson, Anders

Source: Marine Technology, Volume 45, Number 3, July 2008 , pp. 182-190(9)

Publisher: Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME)

Abstract:

The ship research project DESSO (Design for Survival Onboard) aims at improving the safety of RO/RO (roll-on/roll-off) ferries. The project was organized in the autumn of 2003 in order to use the research and development resources existing in Sweden, combined with international expertise, for a radical RO/RO concept with a focus on safety. One part in the early stages of this project was to identify chain breakers from previous accidents, that is, something that would have prevented, stopped, or reduced the consequences of the incident event, in order to obtain a realistic basis of "working on the right problem." A systematic and in-depth analysis of a few selected significant and well-documented disasters was made using the event-chain method. The identified chain breakers were further categorized and analyzed to find ideas and concepts that would prevent these events from occurring. These efforts were further developed into a method where the graphics of event chains with chain breakers are used in workshops with experts in two stages. In general, it was found that "Management" in most cases was the initial cause of the events. Often, "Management" was also the reason for the continuing or worsening of the events. As such, education/training and stricter routines were found to be the most effective methods for reducing accidents and are at the same time an inexpensive measure to take. This, together with online stability calculations and decision-support systems, would have prevented most of the accidents analyzed in this work.

Keywords: ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF; PASSENGER VESSELS; DESIGN (VESSELS); OPERATIONS (SHIPBUILDING); STABILITY; DAMAGE ANALYSIS; SAFETY

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2008-07-01

More about this publication?

• Marine Technology is dedicated to James Kennedy, 1867-1936, marine engineer, and longtime member of the Society, in recognition and appreciation of his sincere and generous interest in furthering the art of ship design, shipbuilding, ship operation, and related activities.
  
  The Technical papers in this quarterly flagship journal cover a broad spectrum of research on the latest technological breakthroughs, trends, concepts, and discoveries in the marine industry. SNAME News is packed with Society news and information on national, section, and local levels as well as updates on committee activities, meetings, seminars, professional conferences, and employment opportunities.
  
  For access to Volume 47 Issue 2 and later, please contact SNAME
• Information for Authors
• Submit a Paper
• Subscribe to this Title
• Membership Information
• Information for Advertisers
• Volume 47 Issue 2 and later
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: General & Civil Engineering ,  Materials & Manufacturing ,  Mechanical Engineering
• By this author: Karlsson, Ulf ;  Ulfvarson, Anders

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers