Results from
the transport research programme
EUROPEAN
COMMISSION
This brochure was produced by the EXTRA consortium for DG Energy and Transport and represents
the consortiums views on research relating to maritime safety. These views have not been adopted or in
any way approved by the Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the Commission's
or DG Energy and Transport's views.
The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this brochure,
nor does it accept responsibility for any use made thereof.
Information on the wider transport activities of the European Union is also available
on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server
(http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/energy_transport/index_en.html).
Manuscript completed in August 2001.
Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2001
ISBN 92-894-1551-7
European Communities, 2001
Cover pictures: Eureka Slide
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
Printed in Belgium.
MARITIME SAFETY
KEY RESULTS
Research projects have a significant impact on
the design and implementation of maritime safety policy.
Some of the success stories are highlighted here.
User friendly and safe
ship control centres
Casualty analysis
Improving the consistency and collection of
maritime accident data has been the target
Eureka Slide
MARITIME SAFETY
AREAS OF RESEARCH
INTEGRATED
SHIP CONTROL
a recording unit,
an accident parameter acquisition
unit, and
land-based evaluation software for
the recovery and interpretation of
recorded data.
The system has been tested and validated
in a dedicated research project. Its
performance in meeting the specifications
was confirmed through scenario-based
simulations and laboratory tests. Sea
trials on a medium-size passenger liner
have further underlined the operational
suitability and robustness of the
prototype. The results obtained in the
tests and sea trials strongly contributed
to the definition of testing standards for
these devices.
In addition a legal framework for
the implementation of the concept was
elaborated, including the analysis of
unresolved questions such as certification
and periodic inspection.
MARITIME SAFETY
Casualty analysis 6
A coherent approach towards
a harmonised methodology for the
investigation of incidents and accidents,
as well as general safety and risk
considerations, have been elaborated
in two research activities.
A networking activity has assessed current
working practices and methodologies
for accident investigation. These are
commonly based on the creation of selfstanding accident and incident databases.
MARITIME SAFETY
Risk assessment 9
The assessment of the levels of risk of
maritime accidents in busy coastal
waters, like the North Sea, as well as
the identification of adequate control
options, have been addressed
extensively. Based on the evaluation of
historical accident data, a Marine
Accident Risk Calculation System
(MARCS) was developed that enables
the quantification of risk levels for specific
maritime operations and the effect of
risk control measures. A set of specific
risk models is now available that cover
aspects ranging from communication
with Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), ship
manoeuvring capabilities and navigational
aids, to human and organisational factors,
such as training schemes for crews.
MARITIME SAFETY
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MARITIME SAFETY
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ENHANCED
INFORMATION SERVICES
MARITIME SAFETY
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CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS
IN TRANSPORT RESEARCH
This section identifies current research projects in
the maritime transport sector addressing safety issues.
Further details are available from the Links section of
the web-based Knowledge Centre.
MARITIME SAFETY
Maritime education 15
A thematic network on maritime
education and training (MET) and
the mobility of seafarers is pursuing
the harmonisation of MET schemes
across Europe also with a view to
enlargement of the EU. The aim is to
improve the quality of maritime education
and training and to co-ordinate
the contents of MET schemes for ship
officers in the European Union in order
to increase their mobility. The work
addresses industry and government
concerns over the scarcity of ship officers
in EU countries.
In particular, the thematic network will
provide a harmonised approach to the
design of improved and more widely
applicable syllabi for MET students and
specialised courses for students and
lecturers alike. It will evaluate the funding
of MET, support the mutual recognition
of certificates, and identify ways of
increasing job attractiveness for
ship officers.
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References
Further information on the following projects can be obtained from the web-based Knowledge Centre.
Other key documents referenced in the brochure are available on the DG Energy and Transport web
site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/energy_transport/index_en.html).
1. White Paper "European transport policy for 2010: time to decide", COM(2001)370
2.The transport research programme is part of the fourth framework programme for Community activities in the field
of research, technological development and demonstration for the period 1994 to 1998
3. ATOMOS II project
4. MBB project
5. DISC and DISC II projects
6. BERTRANC and CASMET projects
7. FSEA project
8. SEALOC project
9. SAFECO and SAFECO II projects
10. MASIS II, MASSOP and REWORD projects
11. MARCOM, MASSTER and METHAR projects
12. MOVIT and VTMIS-NET projects
13. INCARNATION and RINAC projects
14. ADVANCES network
15. METNET network
16. THEMES network
17. WATERMAN-TS network
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KO-39-01-546-EN-C