Dreyer Kompetanse AS has developed the Whatif-Method – an easy and involving new technique to identify the risks and hazards onboard ships and deep-sea fishing vessels.
Led by a captain/officer, the crew analyses scenarios described on cards included in the Whatif package, and places each card on one of the nine degrees of danger on the risk assessment board.
The Whatif ISM scenarios are based on accident investigations conducted in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark over a five-year period and compared with statistics over serious and repeat accidents. A Whatif scenario example is: 'What if...a fire knocks out both the main and auxiliary engine, causing us to collide with another vessel?'
The scenarios that are considered to be red/high risk should be exercised to test readiness and to evaluate if actions should be taken to lessen the consequences or likelihood of that scenario occurring.
The Whatif concept includes matching drills/exercises for every ISM and ISPS scenario.
The exercises are in the form of MS PowerPoint presentations so that everyone can use them, and there is a corresponding template for an exercise report in MS Word format.
The captain/officer then goes through the relevant exercises with selected crew members.
Based on the exercises and the discussions around these, the crew determines if it is necessary to take action to lessen the risk, for example through additional training, improving current procedures, etc.
