The method’s development process is illustrated in Fig. 2, where an indication is given of the time schedule adhered to in the development. Four phases are distinguished, which are outlined next.
Phase I. The core contributors outlined the purpose of the method, and draft the definition of the Vessel TRIAGE categories and the operational focus corresponding to each level. These are presented in Section 3.2. Relevant partners were contacted and a broad stakeholder network was established. Preparations were made for kick-off seminar and workshop.
Phase II. A kick-off seminar and workshop was organized. Representatives of several stakeholders provided perspectives on the needs for improvement on emergency communication in maritime distress situations. Furthermore, a workshop was organized with ca. 50 participants where four working groups discussed the draft Vessel TRIAGE categories defined in Phase I. Ideas and perspectives were collected about user requirements for the method, and possible approaches for constructing the method were identified. Suggested methods included e.g. flowcharts and factor-based scoring systems. Concerning user requirements, it was stressed that the method should be as simple as possible, and that it should act as a guide which is flexible to actually occurring situations. The first requirement stems from the fact that it is intended to be used in distress situations, and should add as little as possible additional cognitive burden on the various actors. Simplicity is also beneficial as it limits the need for training, and the use of simple pen-and-pencil tools for emergency decision making has been found beneficial in various studies ( Goldstein and Gigerenzer, 1999, Klein, 1995 and Shanteau, 1992a). The need for flexibility of the tool stems from the experience that actually occurring situations can be very diverse in nature, depending on ship types, particular design features and so on. Thus, another user requirement was to keep the method at a high enough level of generality. This way, the method should guide an assessor to make an informed judgment rather than rigidly calculating or declaring the situation to be of a definite severity.