About the Project

The project is devoted to issues related to the outbreak of an epidemic on the sea-going vessel. In practice, the vessel becomes a moving isolator with a great potential to “release” the disease over a larger area. The COVID-19 outbreak has demonstrated that in many places there are no mechanisms for dealing with disease emergencies. Although many agreements and contracts anticipated “force majeure” risks, no one was aware of the fact that this could be global. OVID- 19 has shown that very often existing procedures are not adapted to the reality around us. Very often, new ones need to be developed quickly. Sometimes there is even no legal basis to implement and apply such procedures. Different solutions related to the coronavirus threat have been adopted in each country. Some actions turn out to be right, some don’t.
Unfortunately, in many cases the social factor is also important (opposition to vaccination, lockdowns, etc.). Sometimes, however, we find ourselves in a situation where we cannot wait for new procedures to be developed. COVID-19 has had a negative impact on almost all areas of the economy. It can be said that it is the greatest global threat since the Second World War. The aim of the project is to build an expert system regarding the risk of epidemic threats ona sea-going vessel (not only COVID-10). Every merchant ship, pleasure craft, sailing yacht have to be equipped with appropriate communication equipment associated with her area of movements. It may be radio, satellite station, mobile phone etc. Each of them determines different way to obtain medical assistance (or advice). In addition radio operators on board of the ship must be cetfified by authorized organization and familiarized with maritime radiocommunication procedures. There are couple types of radio operator certificates depends on their purpose. For example most common is SRC (Short Range Certificate) used by sailors and GOC (General Operator’s Certificate) required by STCW (Standard for Training Certification and Watchkeeping) for deck officers. The motivation of the project is to deliver an expert system which may be helpful to resolve: i)how non-medical personnel can accurately access medical situation?; ii)which medical facility should be contacted with?; iii)what mean of communication should be used.
So, the aim of the project is to design and develop the decision support system for maritime decision makers in order to give some indications in the case of epidemic outbreak. Example of operation: one crew member fell ill on board the ship; he was given medical attention. Two more people fell ill the next day. The captain begins to suspect an epidemic (infectious disease, food poisoning). Quickly checks the identified symptoms in the system and on this basis, the system provides guidance on actions – how to provide medical assistance, what services to inform, what procedures to implent. Epidemic alert!