Risk evaluation for RoPax vessels

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a recent risk evaluation study for roll‐on‐roll‐off passenger (RoPax) vessels, carried out as part of the activities of the SAFEDOR Integrated Project. The objective of the study was to investigate hazards and their causes during RoPax operation and to quantify, to the extent possible, their frequencies and consequences. A previous study on the safety assessment of RoPax vessels sailing in north‐west European waters, covering the period until 1994, was used as the basis in putting together a high‐level risk model for the current study. All scenarios are presented in the form of event trees, quantification of which is made on the basis of worldwide accident experience (from 1994 to 2004), relevant past studies, and judgement. The study estimates the risk of loss of life among passengers and crew (by calculating for each scenario the individual risk and the potential loss of life and by plotting the corresponding F–N curves) and compares them with current risk acceptance criteria.

Keywords

Marine accident analysis formal safety assessment risk acceptance criteria

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