Iam pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this symposium. I attended the Marine Transporta-tion System (MTS) National Conference in Warren-ton, Virginia, last November and I consider this a golden opportunity to further develop the foundation that was established there. I recognize the diverse group of experts representing industry, regulatory agencies, classification societies, port infrastructure, academia, and special interest groups. Like the MTS Conference, the success of this symposium will rely not on our individual expertise but on our collective willingness to participate with an open mind and a discipline to stay focused on the objective: learn from each other. I am here to discuss the need for risk assessment and risk management from the perspective of those of us who actively participate in the marine transportation industry. It is impossible to completely eliminate operating risk, and the expectations of customers and the general public are more demanding than ever. However, by using risk assessments and by applying sound risk management principles as part of an overall company-wide quality management system, we place ourselves in a proactive position by identifying hazards and introducing preventive and/or mitigating steps. This is much preferred to the alternative of being in a reactive state, which can lead to onerous―and sometimes ill-conceived―legislation and regulations and can alienate our customers as well as our fellow citizens. First, I will cite definitions of risk assessment and risk management. Then, I will show by example how the company I represent integrates risk management and risk assessments in daily work activities, regardless of complexity or size, and strives for continuous improvement. I will close by sharing what I consider to be important factors in conducting a risk assessment from an end user's point of view. In 1996, the April-June issue of the U.S. Coast Guard publication Proceedings was dedicated to the topic "Risk Management in the Maritime Industry." One article included the following definitions of risk assessment and risk management: 1. Risk assessment is "... the use of information to define the potential safety threats resulting from exposure of individuals or populations to hazardous events, hazardous materials, physical agents, chemicals and situations. While no risk assessment is devoid of value judgements, risk assessment should be an objective engineering/scientific enterprise aimed at approximating the truth about a possible threat to humans or the environment." 2. Risk management is "... the process of weighing alternatives for controlling risks and selecting the most appropriate course of action. While risk managers may use information from risk assessments when making decisions, they may also consider information about engineering, economics, law, ethics, and politics."
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