Developing an Emergency Offshore Hazard Map and risk assessment indices using Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS)

Offshore emergencies such as oil spill present a serious threat to the
coastal environment. Consequently, response teams need to act fast in
order to minimize the damage done to the environment in the vent of
accidental oil spills. This study proposes to use spatial decision support
system (SDSS) in assisting decision makers and response teams in their
plan to effectively handle offshore emergency and mitigate potential
effects. A structured GIS-based multi criteria decision making
(MCDM) model is implemented by combining the analytical hierarchy
process (AHP) with GIS to develop an emergency offshore hazard map
and risk indices. The coastal area of East Malaysia was used as the study
area to test the SDSS. A sensitivity index of five categories (very high,
high, medium, low, and very low) were produced for the coastline of
East Malaysia. The produced map will be useful in offshore emergency
such as oil spill to help response team develop and implementing a
successful response plan.