Consequence modelling for Arctic ship evacuations using expert knowledge

Risk-based decision-making is central to the development of Arctic shipping policy and regulation. Policy-makers within the International Maritime Organization rely on the Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) methodology to evaluate proposed regulatory changes and Arctic ship operators rely on it to establish operating limits and procedures. The FSA recommends incorporating life-safety consequence in the assessment of maritime industry risk. This paper presents an expert-based assessment of the factors that influence the potential for loss of life during an Arctic ship evacuation and quantified consequence severities for a range of evacuation scenarios. A two-phased mixed methods design is used to elicit expert knowledge. Sixteen experts in the fields of Arctic seafaring, policy and regulation, academia and research, and ship design participated in the study. Semistructured interviews elicited perspectives on the factors that influence the expected number of fatalities resulting from an evacuation in Arctic waters. Surveys were administered in which evacuation scenarios were rated for the level of life-safety consequence severity they pose. This study provides a scenario-based life-safety consequence model for Arctic ship evacuations. Results show evacuation of passenger vessels poses the highest consequence severity of evaluated ship types. Response time and the time available to evacuate have the greatest levels of influence on consequence severity. Implications for Arctic marine policy include the need for enhanced competency and training for Arctic ship crews and SAR services, continued research and development of Arctic life-saving appliances to satisfy Polar Code functional requirements, heightened regulatory oversight of Arctic cruise operations, and consideration of inclusion of fishing vessels under the Polar Code. Application of the results to the FSA methodology is discussed.