Marine Tourist Activity Assessment, RSID 10938

There are many examples of incidents involving with vessels operating in the waters around Svalbard (Kystverket Beredskap, Hendelser Håndtert I 2016). There have currently been very few assessments considering the risk associated with activities taking place in relatively remote harbors without any facilities, e.g. Magdalenafjorden or Loyds Hotel as most of the current risk methodology involves utilizing satellite based AIS data. In many of these remote locations the satellite coverage is marginal and the quality of data is insufficient. Recent studies indicate that an incident involving oilspill is to be expected every 6 years in the region. This is however only based on the existing AIS databases and historic events. Project Methodology Install AIS logging stations in areas of special interest. These logging stations will record all vessel movement and operational pattern in the area of interest. The data will be merged with Kystverkets satellite based AIS database to obtain a complete picture of the situation. This data will be analyzed to assess operational patterns of concern in relation to local metocean conditions in the area. The data will also be analyzed with regards to local environmental impact caused by the marine activity. The data collection will cause minimal environmental impact as the AIS loggers are mobile units that only will be utilized during the summer season. At the end of the season all equipment will be returned to Longyearbyen. The SARiNOR (funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and owned by Maritimt Forum Nord) and the SARex projects (funded by University of Stavanger, Kystvakta, SARiNOR and Sjøfartsdirektoratet) are cooperating with all the main stake holders within the SAR community responsible for Svalbard. As the Marine Tourist Activity Assessment project is to be included as part of the above mentioned projects, the results will not only be communicated but also assessed together with the relevant stakeholders