Risk Assesment Brochure

Risk AssesmentWe are prioritizing and focusing Council efforts to identify and quantify maritime risk factors, andmaximize the effectiveness of projects designed to address health, safety, and environmentalimpacts throughout Cook Inlet.   Navigational Risk AssessmentCook Inlet RCAC, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and U.S. CoastGuard launched the Cook Inlet Navigational Risk Assessment in 2011 to examine the risk of oilspills posed by the marine vessels transiting through, near and/or servicing the region. The goalof the risk assessment is to answer the following questions: • What can go wrong?• How likely is it?• What are the impacts?• Can the impacts be mitigated? The risk assessment is examining the current types and sizes of vessels plying Cook Inlet anddominant accident types, and attempting to identify future oil spill risks based on vessel size,type and frequency. The first phase of the navigational risk assessment was limited to asemi-qualitative analysis. The study relied primarily on historical data, expert opinion, andlessons learned from prior studies. Study results provided a basis for the identification and initialranking of risk reduction measures.   An Advisory Panel was formed to make sure that stakeholders are extensively engagedthroughout the process of defining and analyzing risks and identifying risk reduction measures.Initial funding for the navigational risk assessment was secured through a legislativeappropriation by the State of Alaska. The Kenai Peninsula Borough and Cook Inlet RCAC areadministering the funds. 1 / 2Risk Assesment   More information can be obtained at www.cookinletriskassessment.com Vessel traffic studyOur Prevention, Response, Operations and Safety Committee commissioned a vessel trafficstudy, which culminated in a written report and illustrated inventory of vessel traffic movementsin Cook Inlet. The report by Dave Eley of Cape Decision, Inc. may be used as a referencedocument to support discussions on the environmental risks associated with vessel traffic in thearea, as well as any discussions regarding mishap prevention initiatives. This study, fundedsolely by Cook Inlet RCAC, is being used to augment the navigational risk assessment. 2 / 2