The Thematic Network SAFER EURORO: An Integrated Approach to Safe European RoRo Ferry Design.

For a period of more than 10 years, a safety culture approach has been promoted through the theme "Design for Safety," which aims at integrating safety cost effectively in the ship design process. There is a considerable wealth of information amassed over these years of research and development on safety-critical areas. One of the main elements of the research and development (R&D) work is the assurance of safety within the ship design process, in the continuous search for improving the current state of affairs. Through bold steps in the direction advocated by "Design for Safety," it is slowly but steadily being recognized that this approach can greatly contribute to the overall cost-effective improvement of safety in shipping while nurturing the evolution of proper practice in the field. On this background, the paper attempts a thorough overview of related R&D developments over the last decade. Particular emphasis is placed on the developments that have taken place as part of the activities of the Thematic Network SAFER EURORO and associated research projects, which have led to the development of a recent major research initiative, the Integrated Project SAFEDOR, which is expected to lead research development in the area for the years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]