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The end of Be-Ready project is approaching with satisfaction and many achievements even though the concept of BE-READY will be advanced in a recent call for proposals. 

The same Be-Ready partnership, extended with additional skills and knowledges provided by two innovative companies from Italy and Luxembourg, presented a proposal to the call UCPM-2022-PP, obtaining the funding for the project PROMPT which will represent an extension of the activities carried out in BE- READY and it will rely on the already implemented E-DSS.

Are you wondering what Sea PROMPT means? Sea-PROMPT stands for PReparedness for Operational Monitoring and Prediction of contaminant Transport in the Sea. 

 The project will deal with the dispersion of the volatile part of oil and HNS spills and the development of satellite-based tracking of oil spills and floating containers in the sea. The Decision Support System developed by Be-ready project and already in use in the port of La Spezia, Tripoli and Aqba will be then extended with the above described new features and it will extend to the Genoa harbour for the part related to the dispersion of contaminants in harbor and coastal waters. In addition to the improvement of IT tool,  training and knowledge transfer dedicated to port operators and to neighboring countries’ partners will complete the project activities. 

What is project innovation? The project innovation is in the use of satellites for early response solutions, the project will experiment for the first time the “container lost” correlated risk. PROMPT using sensors directly connected to satellites that can provide the position and dimension of the container lost. Moreover, the innovation is also in terms of methodology because within PROMPT we will also investigate risks connected to biodiversity impacts.

Are you interested in more? We will updates you by publishing PROMPT developments on this website! 

How is the environmental DSS manual developed by the BE-READY project used? Worry no more because here is an explicit explanation of how to use the software;

The Be-Ready EDSS is a sophisticated web map application that allows users to manage spatial and numerical data related to marine pollution, specifically oil and chemical spills. Access to the web can be done through this link ( https://be-ready.ihcantabria.com/ ) with the help of any conventional web browser.

The first step after access to the web is to select one of the three pilot sites already implemented. Selection of the pilot site can be done by clicking on one of the three sites (Spezia, Aqaba, Tripoli). Once the user access one of the pilot sites, the workflow and use of the system are exactly the same for each site.

The general interface of the web is composed of three main areas:

• Map Viewer area: where the visualization of the site is performed and the main controls regarding visualization are shown (in/out zoom buttons and layer selection)
• Component selection area: where the panels to access the different components of the web app are shown.
• Component area: where the panel regarding the current panel is shown, ready to operate with the web app.

In addition to this general interface, Be-Ready DSS is constituted by the following components/sub-components that can be reached through the component selection panel;

• Operational simulation

• Simulation
• Metocean
• Risk assessment

• Risk
• Hazard
• Vulnerability

By default, after accessing one of the pilot sites, the application access directly to the “Operational

simulation” – “Simulation” panel to allow the user to execute a spill simulation.

At this juncture, the user can select either “New simulation” or “Show simulation”. The simulation characteristics can be defined into three main groups for ‘’New Simulation’’:

• Characteristics of the spill:

– Location: lon/lat coordinates where the spill is released.

– Release date and time: exact date and time when the spill is released.

– Substance: Name of the substance spilled from the available list implemented for the app.

– Volume released: total volume of the substance released in cubic meters.

• Selection of the metocean forcings: selection of the meteocean cluster to be used, which implies wind and sea current conditions for the period of simulation.
• Simulation characteristics:

– Duration of the simulation: time range to be simulated after the release of the substance in hours.

– Seawater temperature: mean water temperature of the sea in the modeled area in Celsius degrees.

– Air temperature: mean air temperature of the sea in the modeled area in Celsius degrees.

– Result time step: select the time step of the results, the user can choose between 15-, 30-, and 60-minute time steps. Note that decreasing the time step will increase the computational time.

At this juncture, the user selects the start button to run the simulation, and after 1-2minutes the simulation ends with a show simulation panel automatically. 

Finally, the user selects the chosen simulation and the result will be displayed.

• Risk assessment and sub-sections are available through the “Risk Assessment” tab present in the component selection panel.
• Vulnerability results can be consulted by accessing the “Risk Assessment – Vulnerability” tab from the general component selection panel and asses base on Very low, Low, Moderate, High, Very high

Risk is calculated as the combination of hazard and vulnerability, so that, results depend on the substance type, mooring, substance, and volume spilled but also on the vulnerability index considered (integral, physical, socio-economic, or environmental).

Interested in more? Download the DSS Manual produced by the project!

What is the main Be-Ready result? The main Be-Ready result is the Decision Support System- DSS which is an operational system that provides reliable information about HNS and oil spills for decision support. The DSS development implied 5 steps: 

1. Design 
2. Implementation 
3. Preparation of the Reference Manual and User Manual of the BE-READY DSS
4. Training and small-scale exercise 

1. Design 

A robust and reliable infrastructure is required for the implementation of the DSS system. IHCantabria has designed the BE-READY DSS, working on the Requirement Analysis and Software Specification. The infrastructure is composed of numerical analysis and processing components, storage and management, and user interfaces. The Infrastructure of the Be-Ready DSS is based on a cloud-based architecture. The architecture required to run the service is composed of two main sections: back-end and front-end. The last one is what the end users effectively see and use. 

1. Implementation

IHCantabria has worked in the development of the software and its implementation in the 3 pilot sites (La Spezia Port, Tripoli Port, Aqaba Port).The BE-READY system uses a variety of technologies. The most useful for the end users is the WebApp: The web application accessed by the end user is developed in Vue and Leaflet. It runs on top of an IIS server on Windows server 2012.Be-Ready EDSS is a web map application that allows users to manage spatial and numerical data related to marine pollution, more specifically, related to oil and chemical spills.

The web application can be accessed through: https://be-ready.ihcantabria.com/#/sites

1. Preparation of the Reference Manual and User Manual of the BE-READY DSS

 The Reference Manual presents a detailed description of BE-READY: (i) design and architecture of the system components; (ii) underlying technologies and software used for its implementation; and (iii) operational functioning and protocols for data transfers, management, and production of services. Therefore, this reference manual serves the users/stakeholders involved in its implementation to follow agreed standards and common interoperable protocols and methods to ensure a holistic and dovetailed production made up of modular incremental components. The User Manual provides a detailed description on the use of the BE-READY DSS.

1. Training and small-scale exercise 

The training is aimed at transferring operational capacities to the attendees. At the end of the course, the operator is expected to know how to run the DSS tool with a sufficient confidence and to be ready to apply the operational tool.

The small-scale exercise is the most effective ways of assessing response plans and procedures, determining the readiness of responders, clarifying roles and responsibilities, promoting awareness of potential incidents, preparing for real spill events. The exercise has been the chance to test the effectiveness of the proposed DSS tool.

A specific training has been held in Rome. Furthermore, a specific training session together with a small-scale exercise has been carried out in Tripoli. 

At the end! The Be-Ready project gave birth to the following pivotal results in a quest to realize its main goal. 

What does it mean to say Result? In this context, Result is referred to as the output generated from the implementation of the project activities. The output measures the short term impact of the project action.

The first result was the development of the numerical models which encompasses mainly:

 1. The hydrodynamics model

 2. Operational Forecast System for Oil and NHS spills and

3. Risk Assessment Model 

The hydrodynamics of all the understudied harbors, La Spezia, Tripoli and Aqaban is called the Delft3D numerical model. Delft3D consists of a variety of dynamically interfacing modules for the exchanging of data and results, each addressing a particular domain of interest such as flows, sediment transport, waves, water quality, morphological developments, and ecology. 

The spill forecast system is based on the state-of-the-art oil spill model called TESEO. TESEO is a 3D numerical model to simulate the transport, weathering, and spatial distribution of oil and HNS spills in the marine environment both at the regional scale (offshore) and coastal scale (bays, estuaries, and harbors).

The risk assessment model supports the response planning, providing the environment’s hazard, vulnerability, and risk to oil and HNS spills in terms of probability. 

The second result is the establishment of a DSS manual, the term DSS stands for Decision Support System which is the core of the project goal. DSS is designed to avail reliable information about HNS and Oil Spills for support of decision-making.

The third result involved national events and stakeholders’ round table which was tailored to enhance knowledge and awareness on the domain of environmental risk, and the new instruments that can effectively help in contrasting marine pollution. 4 workshops at different geographical areas were held to enhance networking and awareness of key stakeholders of the BE-READY project. 

The fourth result was centered on testing and simulation of the EDSS developed by the project. A practical workshop was held on the theme of how to use the EDSS (Environmental Decision Support System). The workshop was divided into a Simulation of hypothetical spills + a Q&A session and practical small-scale exercises through live demonstration.

In conclusion, in the light of above, the be-ready project aims to mitigate the threat faced by Mediterranean ports and maritime transport through oil and HNS spills. The marine environment is indeed threatened by pollution derived from maritime accidents that frequently cause spills of dangerous substances, suggesting the need to enhance the level of preparedness for such occurrences.

On June 27th, 2022,  IHCantabria hosted the final BE-READY event, showing the project’s main results and products, namely the development of the Environmental Decision Support System, a tool to assist in decision-making in case of environmental emergencies due to hydrocarbon and HTS spillages.

To achieve this goal, important steps were taken to improve the state of the art in multiple fields, thus leading to advancements in the development of systems for predicting currents at the coastal and local scale, integrated models for oil and chemical spills, and methodologies for risk-assessment, resulting into a tool that is easily usable and exportable to any geographical location.

Specifically, IHCantabria has led one of the critical tasks of the project: the design and development of the decision support system (BE-READY DSS), which, by integrating the methodological results of the operational modelling of hydrocarbons and harmful substances, has resulted in the conception of a safe, robust and user-friendly tool for the end-user.

The final event at IHCantabria, moderated by Dr. Ana J. Abascal Santillana, principal investigator of the project and member of the Oceanography, Estuaries and Water Quality Research Group of IHCantabria – was attended by private and public entities involved in this field. The event included a round table on the most relevant aspects in the management of spillage accidents, and was attended by Germán Erostarbe Alacano, head of the Santander Rescue Coordination Centre; Julián Díaz Ortiz, coordinator of the Emergency Management and Coordination Area of the Government of Cantabria; Pablo García Palazuelos, industrial safety and occupational risk prevention technician of the Santander Port Authority; Andrés García Gómez, professor at the University of Cantabria and head of the Oceanography Group of IHCantabria; and Ana J. Abascal Santillana herself. 

Finally, the day ended with the practical workshop “Demonstration of the capabilities of the BE-READY integral tool for rapid response to chemical and hydrocarbon spills” to train technical personnel involved in preventing and responding to accidental pollution on the use of this tool.

The final international event of the European project Be-Ready took place on Monday, June 13^th at the Conference Hall Spazio Europa, seat of the Representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament in Rome, Italy.

The day was packed with activities: during the morning, speakers from each partner gathered to discuss the development of the project, its achievement and to foster a debate on future partnership to improve the Environmental Decision Support System.

During the afternoon, on the other hand, members of the Environmental Hydraulics Institute (IHCantabria) led a practical training session to actively involve stakeholders and engage them in the use of the EDSS.

Indeed, stakeholder participation was a crucial component in the success of the event, which was attended by private companies and public authorities such as the Italian Civil Defence authority, the Energy – Environment Prevention Agency for Emilia Romagna (ARPAE), the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), and representatives of the Italian Corps of the Port Captaincies – Coast Guard.

The event also paved the way towards further cooperation between Be-Ready’s partners and the stakeholders, establishing an international network for the use and the improvement of the DSS tool.