The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport, Vítor Fraga, announced today that the Government will implement a Systematic Observation Programme for Maritime Works in the Azores (OSOMA) in a partnership between the Regional Port Authorities, the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory (LREC) and the National Civil Engineering Laboratory (LNEC).

"The observatory will define the procedures for the observation of maritime infrastructures that are under the administration of the Regional Port Authorities, through the early detection of anomalies and potential property and human damages, in a monitoring action that will contribute to a preventive risk management," said the Regional Secretary. The government official spoke at a conference on "Risk Management," an event organised by Açoreana Insurance Company and "Diário Económico" Newspaper.

Vítor Fraga also stressed that the OSOMA programme "aims to assess the hydraulic-structural behaviour of maritime works under observation." According to him, there four major goals that should be achieve through this project: detecting anomalies in the behaviour of structures in order to introduce appropriate corrective actions and, thus, minimising the economic impact of any failure; comparing the actual behaviour of structures with the expected behaviour in the project and monitoring its progress over time; recommending occasional actions using more sophisticated observation tools, especially in submerged areas; defining the circumstances when maintenance and repair works should be carried out.

"Besides the management and prevention of risks, this initiative will improve the efficiency in the management of investments in port infrastructures and the acquisition of knowledge on the development of future projects," stressed the Regional Secretary. In a region such as the Azores, where risk management is easily associated with environmental factors, it is "essential to become aware of all natural factors that might create risks in order to prevent disasters and, thus, protect people and property."

Vítor Fraga pointed out the implementation of this type of projects in the Azores, such as the Automatic Hydrometeorological Monitoring Network, comprised of 44 automatic stations with remote transmission of data; its expansion throughout the archipelago is currently at a final phase. The government official also mentioned the following initiatives: the slope monitoring systems installed on the island of Santa Maria and Pico; the monitoring and alarm systems to ensure the safety of visitors at "Furna do Enxofre" on Graciosa; the "Segurança+" programme, a surveillance system to monitor bridges and overpasses in the Region.

"The knowledge provided by this experience will have an impact in the development of other aspects, particularly regarding the preservation and enhancement of our natural and building heritage. Hence, we will be able to reach high levels in terms of sustainable development, as it happens in the case of nature tourism, where the Azores are an internationally recognised example," stressed Vítor Fraga.
 
Moreover, the Regional Secretary mentioned the ARM project on Graciosa, an initiative designed to monitor climate change, or the installation of Space and Geodetic Station on Santa Maria to measure the displacement of tectonic plates; the data collected by the latter will enhance the definition of seismological models. According to him, these projects "contribute to the management of risks based on natural disasters" as well as "to capture foreign investment to the Region and to promote the creation of high-skilled jobs."

In his speech, Vítor Fraga also stressed the transverse nature of risk management in the activities developed by all entities, both public and private entities.

"This is fundamental insofar as the decisions that are taken at all times should be the most suitable for the preservation of the common good and the improvement of the living conditions of all citizens," Vítor Fraga said, adding that "risk management ends up playing a key role in efficient and proper management."