scholarly journals Challenges Facing Myanmar in Developing a National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ko Ko Naing ◽  
Khant Thu ◽  
Dave Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Government Funding ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Contingency Plan ◽  
Trained Personnel ◽  
Contingency Plans ◽  
Response Policy

ABSTRACT Myanmar became signatory to the OPRC 1990 in December 2016 and hence requires applicable vessels, ports and offshore facility operators to develop and maintain oil spill contingency plans coordinated with the National Contingency Plan. At about the same time, a super tanker terminal was constructed at Kyaukpyu deep-seaport on the west coast of Myanmar. This project made Myanmar an oil receiver country thus raising the risk of significant oil pollution incidents. To mitigate the risk, Myanmar developed its National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution (NCP) in order to establish a coordinated oil spill preparedness and response policy and to align with the Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan (ROSCP) developed under the ASEAN MOU for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (ASEAN, 2014). Even with the NCP, Myanmar is still encountering a number of challenges to be fully prepared for severe and disastrous pollution incidents. Chief among these is the establishment of a proper spill response capability including trained personnel and a stockpile of appropriate response equipment. Many options are being considered: government funding; establishing a mutual aid program led by industry; contract bases; or some combination of these. This paper looks at the actions Myanmar is taking to develop a state of the art NCP that is appropriate for Myanmar and the Region. The paper also discusses some of the key challenges Myanmar is facing, including transboundary issues and the solutions being considered and/or adopted to address such challenges.

OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY PLANNING AND SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT COORDINATION IN BERMUDA: A SUCCESSFUL MODEL

1983 ◽  
Vol 1983 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-153
Author(s):  
Thomas D. Sleeter ◽  
Anthony H. Knap ◽  
I. Walwyn Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Communication Networks ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Scientific Activity ◽  
Environmental Sensitivity ◽  
Contingency Plan ◽  
Scientific Support ◽  
Sensitivity Maps

ABSTRACT A complete oil spill contingency plan has been developed together with environmental sensitivity maps, a damage risk assessment, and a scientific support coordination plan. The contingency plan details the notification and mobilization of key personnel and equipment during the initial phases of a marine pollution incident. It sets out a pre-planned course of action and, depending on the magnitude of the incident, calls for the orderly involvement of communication networks and various governmental agencies including marine police, marine ports, fisheries, the police, fire department and the regiment, all of which are coordinated by the on-scene coordinator and his command team. Environmental sensitivity maps have been developed to streamline decision making by the command team by identifying priority areas that require maximum effort for protection, cleanup, and conservation. The system ranks 15 coastal environments on a sensitivity scale of 1 to 10 with respect to the expected persistence of hazardous material spills (such as oil) along the coastline. The index is based on the geomorphology of the area, coastal processes, and the amount of physical energy to which the coastline is subjected. The maps also identify pertinent political and socioeconomic resources and areas of ecological significance. Water depths, current velocities, and distances across inlets are indicated for deployment of containment booms. In addition, under a Scientific Support Response Plan all scientific activity during the pollution incident is coordinated and documented. The plan sets up the orderly flow of scientific information to the command team and coordinates an organized sampling protocol including documentation and proper “chain of custody” of environmental samples. This system, coupled with an analytical detection unit, has resulted in convictions for more than 22 minor oil pollution incidents in Bermuda.

Appropriate Technology for Oil Spill Management in Developing Nations

1999 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. Wayment ◽  
B. Wagstaff
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Local Resources ◽  
Contingency Plans ◽  
Considerable Impact

It has been estimated that some 6 million tonnes of crude oil is routinely transported by tankship around the world's oceans on a daily basis. Despite the introduction of stringent operating and safety regimes there remains the possibility of an incident occurring that could threaten the waters and shorelines of countries that are in the vicinity of these routes. Shipboard and international contingency plans assume a level of preparedness which may be limited in some of the countries that lay along these shipping lanes.Although the probability of significant oil pollution incidents occurring whilst the vessel is on the high seas is m minimal, they have occurred, some with considerable impact on the areas concerned. Whilst the majority of countries have some form of mutual aid and agreements in place and a number have access to equipment stockpiles, there are still a significant number of areas where there is heavy reliance on local resources. This paper addresses ways in which countries with limited resources can best be prepared for an oil spill and some of the challenges, which this entails.

DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL MARINE POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION FOR THE U.S.S.R. IN 1987–1988

1989 ◽  
Vol 1989 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-207
Author(s):  
Oleg N. Khalimonov ◽  
Sergey M. Nunuparov
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Pollution Control ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Far East ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Auxiliary Equipment ◽  
Special Equipment ◽  
Contingency Plans

ABSTRACT An important event setting the course of further development for the National Marine Pollution Control Administration (NMPCA) was the establishment in January 1988 of the U.S.S.R. State Committee for Nature Protection (Goskompriroda) aimed at improving nature protection management and the control of natural resources. It is along these lines that measures to improve the preparedness of the NMPCA response teams to combat an oil spill at sea have to be intensified. Thus in addition to the existing response teams in the ports of Batumi, Ventspils, Klaipeda, Murmansk, Novorossisk, Nakhodka, Baku, and Odessa, a response team was established in Korsakov in the Far East Basin. There are also plans to establish one or two response teams in the northern regions as well as smaller auxiliary response teams in areas of high pollution risk. During the past two years, the environmental fleet of the U.S.S.R. has acquired eight multipurpose vessels with oil skimming capability, and two large dredge/skimmers—the Professor Goryunov and the Vaidagubsky. In 1989-90 additional seagoing environmental vessels will be constructed. State-of-the-art oil skimming systems have been acquired for all response teams. These steps have made it possible to create the material facilities and technological capability necessary for maintaining initial response readiness to combat major oil spills and to further improve the organization and methods of oil pollution control. As a new possibility for the future, plans are being considered to delegate to NMPCA certain rescue operations at sea. This would expand its role in oil spill response by improving technical capabilities and personnel training. A design is being considered for a sea-going salvage vessel which would also have the capability for rapid delivery and deployment of containment booms as well as the transfer of personnel and special equipment. Work is in progress to develop auxiliary equipment including coastal booms and shipboard portable oil skimmers. Work has been initiated to develop a baseline program to support contingency plans for hazardous chemical substances response (through identification of cargoes, traffic patterns, and risk zones, etc.). Considerable efforts are in progress to improve existing and develop new basin, zone, and regional contingency plans which would provide

scholarly journals DEVELOPING STANDARDIZED FACILITY CONTINGENCY PLANS

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
David A. Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Corporate Structure ◽  
Contingency Plan ◽  
Contingency Plans ◽  
Local Facility ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Response Organization ◽  
Laws And Regulations

ABSTRACT Texaco consists of several operating departments that are, in effect, independent companies. Each of these departments is responsible for complying with all environmental laws and regulations. This includes the preparation by each facility to respond to an oil spill at that location. For larger spills, however, management of the response will rest with corporate regional response teams. Personnel from all departments make up the regional teams. In 1990, Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act. In 1991, the U.S. Coast Guard began developing oil spill response contingency plan regulations, which they are still working on. Meanwhile, four of the five west coast states have also passed laws requiring contingency plans. (Only Hawaii has chosen to wait and see what the federal regulations will entail.) Three of the states have already adopted regulations. Given these laws and regulations, along with its corporate structure, Texaco addressed the need to standardize local facility plans as well as its response organization. This paper discusses how, by working together, the Texaco corporate international oil spill response staff and the Texaco western region on-scene commander developed:A standard contingency plan format crossing corporate boundaries and meeting federal and state requirements.A response organization applicable to any size facility or spill.A strategy to sell the standard contingency plan and response organization to the operating units.

GAOCMAO—INDUSTRY'S APPROACH TO COOPERATIVE SPILL RESPONSE IN THE ARABIAN GULF

1985 ◽  
Vol 1985 (1) ◽  
pp. 607-613
Author(s):  
P. Bernard Ryan ◽  
Derek J. S. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Response Capability

ABSTRACT In 1972, a group of oil companies operating in the western half of the Arabian Gulf came together to form an organization for the purpose of improving their capability to combat oil pollution. The companies sought to establish a joint oil spill response capability, not by setting up a separate, operational response group like other more conventional cooperatives, but instead by utilizing the principle of mutual assistance in times of need. The resulting organization, kown as the Gulf Area Oil Companies Mutual Aid Organisation (GAOCMAO), has proved its effectiveness in several major oil pollution incidents over its twelve years of existence and has gained recognition as a credible and responsible representative of the oil industry's views on matters relating to marine pollution in the Gulf region. Subsequent to the establishment of GAOCMAO, environmental awareness in the Gulf area generally has increased very significantly. Regional and state organizations have been set up by the various Gulf states' governments to monitor the environmental effects of industry of all kinds, including oil, and to develop appropriate control measures. To some extent, these changes have been reflected in an expansion of GAOCMAO's interests to areas outside those purely of oil spill response, but the primary commitment to joint response capability through mutual aid has not diminished. This paper describes the history and development of GAOCMAO since its formation, examines the manner in which it functions, and describes some of the incidents to which it has responded. The growing interaction between GAOCMAO and the various national and regional environmental groups in the Gulf area is examined and an attempt made to put into perspective the relative responsibilities, in terms of oil spill response, of the Gulf area's oil companies and the corresponding governmental organizations.

Contingency Planning for Oil Spills: An Update Based on Experience Gained from the Port Angeles Spill

1988 ◽  
Vol 25 (02) ◽  
pp. 145-159
Author(s):  
Robert A. Levine
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Contingency Planning ◽  
Contingency Plan ◽  
Contingency Plans

Although the best method for handling an oil spill is to prevent its occurrence, the risk of a significant oil spill, from either a tank or other vessel, is always present. When a spill does occur, a good spill contingency plan will help to limit the adverse effects of the spill. This paper discusses the contents and development of Spill Contingency Plans, with emphasis on experience gained during the cleanup of the Port Angeles spill. Information pertinent to and details from ARCO Marine Inc.'s Spill Contingency Plan have been included to aid interested parties in their endeavors to develop suitable contingency plans.

NEW OIL SPILL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND CONTINGENCY PLAN REQUIREMENTS—ARGENTINA

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 (1) ◽  
pp. 956-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erich R. Gundlach ◽  
Hugo A. Rizzato ◽  
Enrique Nastri ◽  
Aldo Murut
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Environmental Awareness ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
Environment Protection ◽  
Environment Impact ◽  
Contingency Plan ◽  
Environment Exploration ◽  
Contingency Plans ◽  
Regulations And Guidelines

ABSTRACT As part of a concurrent wave of environmental awareness and restructuring of the oil industry in Argentina, the Secretariat of Energy, building upon an initial study by the Argentine Petroleum Institute, has developed several new regulations and guidelines designed to protect the environment. Exploration, development, and production of oilfields are now subject to new environment controls and the format and content of environment impact analyses, and oil spill contingency plans are defined. Offshore regulations are expected in 1994195.

AREA CONTINGENCY PLANS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE EVER-EVOLVING

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 (1) ◽  
pp. 944-944
Author(s):  
Carolyn M. White ◽  
Patricia Donahue
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Consistent System ◽  
Contingency Plan ◽  
Contingency Plans ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Key Issues

ABSTRACT The existence of area contingency plans, at least in draft form, for coastal and inland areas, combined with the National Contingency Plan's emphasis on and deferral to area committees, presents a timely opportunity for area committees to address vital response issues. By drawing upon each others’ plans, area committees can enhance their own plans and assist the development of a comprehensive and consistent system for oil spill response. This presentation identifies specific area committee responsibilities imposed under the National Contingency Plan. Materials to be available at the conference will suggest key issues for inclusion in plan revisions and offer helpful samples from existing plans.

Unannounced Drill Program: Testing Spill Management Team Capability through Vessel & Facility Oil Spill Contingency Plans

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 2017425
Author(s):  
Cassidee Shinn ◽  
Joe Stewart ◽  
Yvonne Addassi
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Contingency Plan ◽  
Program Testing ◽  
Continued Education ◽  
Contingency Plans

California has approximately >10,000 vessels calling its ports each year, and 200–300 facilities state wide, many of which are required to have a California Oil Spill Contingency Plan (Contingency Plan) on file with Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR). Spill Management Teams (SMT), either staffed by Contingency Plan holders' employees or contracted out, and the use of the Incident Command System (ICS) structure must be described in these plans. OSPR introduced an unannounced SMT drill program (Program) in 2012 to ensure that Contingency Plan holders can successfully complete the proper initial notifications, activate their SMT, and use ICS in accordance with their approved Contingency Plan and California Code 820.01, Drills and Exercises. There are multiple goals of this Program, including the enhanced capability of SMTs, OSPR, and other partners. This Program provides continued education and training for Contingency Plan holders and SMTs in an effort to bolster the initial response phase of an actual incident. Through these drills, SMTs must demonstrate that they could make proper notifications and decisions during an actual incident and be staffed with trained personnel in ICS to fill positions before State and Federal representatives respond. Additionally, SMTs should deploy resources listed in their approved Contingency Plans and ensure those resources are up to date, available, and sufficient. Furthermore, drills provide an opportunity for OSPR and SMTs to build relationships through testing these procedures, which should make the initial response more efficient and effective. Lastly, the drills are often conducted with representatives from United States Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency, both of which have their own drill programs. Working in conjunction with federal partners ensures continuity and fewer required drills of SMTs. Since the beginning of the Program, SMTs continue to improve their response capabilities, validated by more successfully completed unannounced drills. OSPR has conducted 30 unannounced drills, all of which were on SMTs for marine facilities and vessels. With the expanded authority of OSPR to regulate facilities statewide in 2015, this Program will continue to grow. Ultimately, a more comprehensive Program should lead to enhanced SMT capability statewide, and therefore better protection of the State's natural resources overall. The goal of this poster will be to describe: 1) the history and purpose of this Program; 2) the lessons learned and improvements of SMTs and Contingency Plans; and 3) the expansion of the Program from marine to statewide.

PREVENTION AND ABATEMENT OF MARINE POLLUTION IN TUNISIAN COMMERCIAL PORTS

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 (2) ◽  
pp. 1449-1454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Hazelton ◽  
Robert M. Sargent ◽  
Erich R. Gundlach ◽  
Mohamed Anis Boussetta ◽  
Ahmed Ben Djebara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Merchant Marine ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Oil Transportation ◽  
Contingency Plans ◽  
Private And Public

ABSTRACT In addition to having ports that ship and receive oil and other commercial products by sea, the Republic of Tunisia is exposed to potential spills from vessels that are routed close to shore as they transit the Mediterranean. This paper summarizes a study that was conducted to evaluate Tunisia's commercial ports' oil spill contingency plans, response equipment, and response management systems, for the purposes of increasing the spill response capability of the Tunisian Office of the Merchant Marine and Ports (OMMP) and bringing each plan up to criteria established by Tunisia's 1996 oil spill legislation and international standards. The four ports evaluated were Bizerte, Tunis-Goulette-Radès (TGR), Sfax, and Zarzis. Interviews and discussions were conducted with representatives of the OMMP, the Agency for Environmental Protection (ANPE), the Tunisian Petroleum Activities Enterprise (ETAP), the Tunisian Navy and Merchant Marine, the Directorate General of Energy, the state-owned oil transportation company (TRAPSA), and selected private sector oil companies. The equipment review entailed analysis of existing equipment in each port, potential spill size and location, time to respond, and environmentally sensitive areas needing protection. Specific recommendations were made for improving the readiness posture of Tunisia's commercial ports and for the purchase of additional spill-response equipment and services. Implementation of these recommendations will result in a significantly improved capability on the part of the private and public sector users of Tunisia's commercial ports to respond effectively to marine oil spills, should one occur. This paper highlights the readiness capability of each port and the extent of oil transportation activities, and provides recommendations to improve response via equipment purchases, improvement of the existing response management system, implementation of a training and exercise program, and changes to the port contingency plans.

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