The project aims at harmonising risk management strategies for the North Sea region and at transforming these strategies into practical methodologies for spatial planners, decision makers and operational entities dealing with safety at sea. The strategies will be put into practice in six demonstration projects, including ?classification and risk assessment of oil transport in the North Sea?, ?practical tools on risk management for offshore wind farms?, ?coastal zone management, places of refuge and preparedness? and ?decision making for a maritime rescue coordination centre.?

The project will diffuse risk management strategies, both at national level and at regional or local level. Harmonisation of these strategies across the North Sea Region is an important objective, as is the transformation of these strategies into applicable, practical methodologies for spatial planners, decision makers and operational entities dealing with safety at sea. Demonstration projects will accompany the project.

The harmful effects of disasters will be reduced as persons and institutions involved have better risk management methods. Safety will be increased in sailing corridors while costs do not expand; an analysis will be made of coastal zones, including the risks of offshore wind energy farms and a method for determining acceptable places of refuge for vessels in need. An overview of past incidents, comprising also ?near misses? and the human errors involved, will result in better detection of potential accidents in the future. Increased awareness on the safety of both small crafts and high speed crafts is also an envisaged outcome of the project. Training programmes will be developed and delivered to ensure that the outcomes can actually be used by relevant persons.