Concept for a risk based Navigation Decision Assistant

A concept for a risk based decision support system for navigation of ships that face degrading weather conditions and dangers of damages to a ship at its cargo is outlined. Similar systems exist in various forms, mostly as prototypes, and are based on different ideas of how decision parameters should be communicated to a master as improved basis for decision making. The paper advocates that it is possible to develop a system that systematically is built on risk assessment approaches with the intention of being applicable for a specific ship with a specific loading situation in a real-time environment. The concept is based on modern reliability methodology and relies on state-of-the-art hydrodynamics software and information sources relating to the environment. Based on the various consequences that may occur, the study suggests a selection of limit states and shows how they can be integrated in the decision support system described. The paper presents the risk based concept only while testing of the concept is still in progress.