Book excerpt: Traditionally society has regulated hazardous industries by detailed references to engineering codes, standards and hardware requirements. These days a risk-based approach is adopted. Risk analysis involves identifying hazards, categorizing the risks, and providing the necessary decision support to determine the necessary arrangements and measures to reach a "safe" yet economical operating level. When adopting such an approach the abundance of techniques available to express risk levels can often prove confusing and inadequate. This highly practical guide to safety and risk analysis in Marine Systems not only adds to the current techniques available, but more importantly identifies instances where traditional techniques fall short. Uncertainties that manifest within risk analysis are highlighted and alternative solutions presented. In addition to risk analysis techniques this book addresses influencing elements including: reliability, Maintenance Decision making and Human error. The highly practical approach of this title ensures it is accessible to the widest possible audience