Introduction
The objective of this research paper is to provide overview of the Navigational Safety Management System and Risk Assessment. The paper composes of the component functions of a navigational Safety Management System. The paper also provides the strategies to conduct a navigational risk assessment.
Component functions of a navigational Safety Management System
With relation to the Navigational Safety Management System, different countries have laid down rule on the methods and procedure of Navigation safety requirements. Thus, in the different countries, the navigation scope, safety assessment, and extent of hazard vary. Despite the variation in the requirements of the Safety Management System (SMS), the component functions of SMS must be as follows:
First, the component functions of the SMS should embrace the principal method that the port authority should implement the safety of navigation. Typically, the navigation safety is very essential to mitigate and manage risks in the marine operations.
In addition, for the component of SMS to be strictly implemented, there is need to carry out the forma safety assessment to identify all known hazard to manage the risks associated with hazards. Essentially, the fundamental tool to manage hazard is to firstly identify the potential hazard to find effective tool to manage these hazards. Meanwhile, this is a potent tool to manage the risks that can be associated with maritime operations.
In addition, the component functions of a navigational Safety Management System should include constant review of the level of hazard to mitigate risks.
It should be noted that hazards are special threats to maritime operation. Thus, there is need to constantly implement risks control measures to enhance navigational Safety Management System.
Moreover, the implementation of the component of SMS should also include adopting adequate record policy that should be implemented to record all the assessment of hazards, the consequences of hazard, and the likelihood of initial hazard. Thus, record purpose should also embrace any changes that might have occurred during the initial assessment resulting from hazard.
The component of SMS should also embrace detailed record of hazard. Typically, this is essential to ensure the period facilitation of analysis as well as ensuring the identification of potential trends that might have occurred.
Finally, for the component of SMS to be effective, there should be adherence of the tonnage of vessel on board which should be more than 500 gross tonnages. With the use of onboard vessel of more than 500 gross tonnage, there is need to carry out independent audit to enhance the reliability and effectiveness of the system.
Meanwhile, the risk assessment is essential to make proper documentation; recording as well editing the important data if there is need for changes of data. Typically, with complexity of some categories of SMS, many port authorities of different countries are making use of software packages to carry out the tasks of maintaining proper documentation and editing.
Strategies to conduct a navigational risk assessment
There are strategies which can be employed to conduct navigation risk assessment.
One of the methods is to ensure that the equipment used for the navigation is in line with standard laid down by IALA. Typically, the IALA provides the laid down rules, which states the detailed standard, characteristics and construction navigation buoy. Thus, to enhance adequate safety of the ship, the type of radar that should use within the vicinity of the port should be in line with port administration, and there is need to carry out the test specification of the ship.
Moreover, to conduct a navigational risk assessment, there is need to check whether the personnel working within the port are well trained and competent to carry out the designated work. Typically, there should be adequate training of the people working within national and international maritime sectors. There are standard laid down by the IALA council with regard to the training and safety of the people working in the ship. Thus, to ensure adequate safety there is need to check whether the personnel working within the port are well trained and competent to carry out the designated work laid down by the port authority.
In addition, conducting the navigational risk assessment should include the assessment of security procedure of the maritime operation. According to International Ship and Port Facility Authority (ISPS) there is need to ensure the adequate security in the port to prevent potential threat and terrorism. Typically, the owner of the port authority should place adequate security procedure to prevent damages of the equipments in the port. It should be noted that there are many ships from different part of the world visiting different port. Thus, to conduct the navigational risk assessment, there is need to examine whether the security procedures in the port are in line with ISPS code. (Richardson & Wright).
Conclusion
This paper examines the Navigational Safety Management System and Risk Assessment. The paper reveals the component functions of a navigational Safety Management System which include the strict adherence to IALA rules with regards to the equipment used for the navigation. In addition, there is need to ensure adequate record policy in the maritime operation. The paper also reveals the strategies to conduct a navigational risk assessment that is composed of enhancement of training standard of the personnel in the port. The equipment used in the port should also be in line with IALA code. There should be provision of adequate security procedure in the port authority to prevent potential threats and terrorisms.
Works Cited
Richardson Bruce, A. & Wright, P. Diploma For Harbour Masters Module 2 Managing Maritime Operation, Global Academy. United Kingdom.