There are enormous challenges in the Istanbul Strait- one of the most important, congested and narrow waterways in the world - from the view point of risk determination and risk mitigation for the local traffic. Previously several traffic parameters such as; traffic volume for local vessels, traffic flow and potential encounters of local traffic, in addition to the possibility of collision, were investigated in order to determine the degree of dangers in the southern entrance of the Istanbul Strait. Furthermore, risky zones were also determined in this waterway. On the basis of the results of those, a group of expert was surveyed. These experts were pilots, Vessel Traffic Services Operators (VTS-O), Local Traffic Vessel Captains and Master Mariners who had several experience of navigation through the Istanbul Strait. In order to assess experts perceptions of danger and to propose further studies based on this survey. The questionnaire was analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) program version 13.0. Finally, some differences and/or shares on risk perceptions of expert in the Istanbul Strait are considered.

• Y. Volkan Aydogdu
• Cemil Yurtoren
• Serdar Kum
• Jin-Soo Park