The design of VTS Finland Safety Intent Specification

Abstract

This report presents an integrated systems and safety engineering process describing the safety function of the Vessel Traffic Services in Finland. The process is based on the analysis of the safety intent specification of the VTS system, this analysis is guided by a structured methodology linked to the Systems-Theoretic Accident Modelling and Processes (STAMP). The process aims at systematically representing the controls utilized in VTS Finland to ensure the safety of the navigation in Finnish sea areas and representing the support provided to other maritime partners involved in the execution of navigational operations.

This analysis covers all aid services provided by VTS, and it makes particular distinctions between services provided during spring-summer-autumn and winter seasons. The process proposed in this study provides a description of the outcome of the executed analysis to key elements interacting in the VTS safety system. Thus, this covers the program management ruling the system, the system purpose and functional principles, the system architecture, the systems design and physical representation, and the actual development of the system operations.

Moreover, this process identifies and analyses the link between the functioning of the Finnish VTS safety system and the demanded regulations (guidelines) by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), having a special focus in the provision of training and formation to VTS personnel who are mainly responsible for ensuring the system functioning.

The constructed process culminates with the provision of a performance-monitoring tool that implements a set of determined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are created to support the planning, monitoring and evaluating of the key elements interacting in the VTS safety system. These KPIs are integrated into the structure of a Bayesian network model that is utilized as a decision-support tool in the actual safety management of the VTS system.