Performance-based on-board damage control system for ships

Abstract

The most severe accidents in the maritime sector involve fire or stability loss due to flooding. Such accidents result in the loss of life and property as well as environmental pollution. The prevention of such severe outcomes of maritime accidents requires fast and effective responses. Hence, accurate accident information must be provided to decision makers to develop an emergency response. Furthermore, information regarding an accident's development over time must be provided to formulate a targeted response. This paper describes a performance-based on-board damage control system for ships instituted when a fire or flooding occurs. A sensor network is adapted to detect fires and flooding. The developed sensor network uses a digital inclinometer, CCTV network, and real-time locating system for the crew and wave radar system. Fire spread and ship behavior due to flooding in the time domain are simulated based on fire and flooding accident scenarios. Subsequently, the results are compiled into a system database as an important information source for decision makers. On-board accident conditions and response actions can be communicated to on-shore stations in real time via a long-term-evolution maritime network and satellite system. The system can be used as an evaluative tool for accident response crew training.