The aim of the project was to suggest a rational, comprehensive approach to safety, based on risk assessment and operational availability analysis, and to provide potential users with a methodology supporting the preparation of a complete Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) for fast ferries including performance features.
The methodology's development was managed simultaneously with a step by step application to a real system on an existing craft, i.e. the propulsion and manoeuvring system of a mono-hull high speed craft. In this way the possible methodological weaknesses and inconsistencies were identified and the methodology updated through an iterative process.
The project ended with the issue of guidelines addressing the methodology to set up availability and safety assessment; the cost/benefit analysis according to ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practical) concept and safety management system and the development of specific reliability databases. In addition, a report on existing requirements and recommendations for future regulation was provided.