A decision-support tool is helping port authorities conduct risk management operations in an ordered, logical fashion.
ABPmer's MarNIS Port Assessment Toolkit has been customised for a number of port operators including QHM Portsmouth, Torbay Harbour Authority and Stena Line Ports.
Although the primary application of the tool is that of nautical safety, it can still be used to assess environmental protection, port efficiency and crisis management.
The pro-active port assessment tool assists the user in conducting a self assessment, including port data gathering, port hazard identification, recording of accidents or incidents, and reviewing. Software outputs include risk control choices, records of accidents and incidents, and hazards which are listed according to order of priority.
The toolkit comprises three inter-linked modules. The port data module is the starting point, and provides information through the use of standard questions with respect to port functional areas. The operational risk management module is the core of the port assessment process and offers the user an overview of ranked hazards. Each one of these is linked to an auditable sequence of risk assessments which offer an overview of the causes of the incident, extant risk controls and options for potential future risks.
Finally, the accident and incident reporting module provides a database which houses notable incidents. When the user logs an incident or accident, the database will either inform the user that a similar hazard has been assessed and needs reviewing – or that a similar hazard has not been recorded, and needs adding to the system.
