Overview
THEMES was a Thematic Network (TN) funded by the European Commission under the 5th Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration. The network was co-ordinated by Det Norske Veritas, with Bureau Veritas taking part in the secretariat. The network was founded on the basis of work carried out in previous concerted actions and EU-funded projects. The results from Concerted Action on Formal Safety and Environmental Assessment (CA-FSEA) and BERTRANC (Concerted action on casualty analysis) are of special importance.
The overall goal of THEMES is to improve industrial safety and environmental protection in shipping, through support to and development of a pro-active safety culture.
A thematic network is a framework for reaching the overall goal of this research activity. Its suitability is particularly apparent in reaching a critical mass of participants with the view of contributing to a harmonised approach to the subjects under discussions and to common implementation strategies.
The project objective is to enable the overall goal with regard to shipping safety and marine environmental protection to be achieved by initiating and effectively managing a programme of work aimed at establishing a common knowledge base and a comprehensive framework of safety assessment and safety management for waterborne transport.
The objective will be met by:
- describing state-of-the-art for aspects related to safety assessment including human factor issues;
- establishing a common framework for safety assessment based on present standards;
- describing requirements and implementation strategies for improved knowledge on risk factors;
- identifying knowledge gaps and proposing further research to be carried out; and by
- making available and disseminating present knowledge for safety assessments.
Funding
Results
One of the tasks of THEMES has been to develop a 'comprehensive framework of safety assessment and safety management for waterborne transport'. Key questions during the development stages were why and what is a framework? The team arrived at the following key points:
- purpose is to improve safety performance;
- better performance through a better culture;
- a better culture by practising safety assessment;
- needs of an information system for the stakeholders;
- needs of a non-regulatory encouragement of good safety practice; and
- needs of an industry-wide adoption of best safety culture practices.
In summary the framework comprises 5 components, these are:
- the European Union's maritime safety policies;
- the shipping industry stakeholders;
- a common information system (EMIS);
- a so-called 'dedicated network' representing the industry stakeholders; and
- a body representing the European end-users of shipping services.
All final deliverables are available at the THEMES website.
Policy implications
- Create a European maritime safety information system.
- Create a European Accident datebase, incorporating information on human factors.
- Enhanced accident investigation, especially when several countries are involved in the accident.
Waterborne
Key Findings
No results directly relevant to this theme. However, please note that some findings relevant to the project's key theme (Safety and Security) are generically applicable.
Policy
Implications
No policy implications directly relevant to this theme. However, please note that some policy implications relevant to the project's key theme (Safety and Security) are generically applicable.
Safety and security
Key Findings
One of the tasks of THEMES has been to develop a 'comprehensive framework of safety assessment and safety management for waterborne transport'. Key questions during the development stages were why and what is a framework?
The team arrived at the following key points:
- Purpose is to improve safety performance;
- a better culture by practising safety assessment;
- needs of an information system for the stakeholders;
- needs of a non-regulatory encouragement of good safety practice; and
- needs of an industry-wide adoption of best safety culture practices.
In summary the framework comprises 5 components, these are:
- The European Union's maritime safety policies;
- the shipping industry stakeholders;
- a common information system (EMIS);
- a so-called 'dedicated network' representing the industry stakeholders; and
- a body representing the European end-users of shipping services.
Policy