Development of an operational model for maritime incident management

Management of vessel traffic and maritime incidents is greatly based on the utilisation of ICT. To further enhance the use of ICT, the national maritime telematics architecture MeriArkki was introduced in Finland in 2004 [1, 2]. One of the most important development needs recognised in the architecture was the creation and implementation of an operation model for maritime incident management. The preliminary operation model was developed during 2004 [3]. It focuses on the management of all deviations to normal operation but the emphasis is on minor incidents often causing major ramifications. The operation model clearly shows that in comparison with other transport modes i.e. road and railway, the number of key actors in the maritime sector is so large that reliable and effective use of telematics for information management and exchange is a necessity [4, 5]. The identified main development needs of the preliminary operation model are the realisation of a Call centre function based on the co-operation of authorities, the improvement of communication and implementation of operation model by establishing a co-operative forum of the fundamental parties of maritime traffic, the expansion of the role of vessel traffic management into a data management centre supporting incident management, and the development of the national maritime information system PortNet to serve also as a means of incident management communications