Abstract:
The paper presents the background, the research methodology and some results of the research project“ Decision support system for maritime environment emergency management ”, whose goal is to design and develop a prototypal decision support system able to support Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers and Sub–Centers in planning and managing Search and Rescue (SAR) operations at sea. The numerous and recent mournful events occurred in the Mediterranean Sea and the recent Italian and European Communities initiatives (e.g. Mare Nostrum and Triton) show the urgency of the topic and the relevance of SAR missions. The research project, carried out by two Italian companies (i.e. Selex ES and Codin SpA) and a public university (i.e. Politecnico di Bari), was financed within the Italian National Operational Programme for "Research and Competitiveness" 2007-2013 (NOP for R&C). It started in November 2011 and will be completed at the end of May 2015.
