In May 2004, with the entering into force of Regulation 724/2004/EC, EMSA was given the task of providing support to Member States in their efforts to respond to ship-sourced pollution in EU waters. In order to define the framework for the associated support activities, the Agency developed the Action Plan for Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response (2004). The plan is updated regularly as part of the Agency’s annual Work Programme.
EMSA’s oil spill response vessels
In mid-2014 EMSA maintains 17 fully equipped Stand-by Oil Spill Response Vessels, with one additional vessel under preparation. These vessels are available, upon request, to assist coastal States in oil spill recovery operations. In order to provide this service, EMSA has established, following public procurement procedures, contracts for at-sea oil recovery services around the European coastline with commercial vessel operators.
Given that the EMSA service is to ‘top-up’ available resources formajor spills and for cost efficiency reasons, it was not seen as appropriateto build or buy dedicated vessels to be on permanent stand-by.
Each arrangement has the following common characteristics:
- The vessel will operate as an oil recovery vessel on the basis of a pre-agreed model contract with fixed fees and conditions as developed by the Agency in consultation with Member States for this purpose.
- Each vesel has large recovered oil storage capacity.
- The primary oil recovery system is based around the ‘sweeping arm’ concept with an alternative ‘ocean-going boom and skimmer’ system also available. the requesting State can select the equipment in accordance with the incident characteristics.
- Each vessel has a speed of 12 knots for promt arrival on site.
- Each vessel is equipped with a local radar based oil slick detection system to facilitate the positioning of the vessel in the thicker oil slicks, and to enable operations at night.
- Each vessel has the manoeuvrability required to carry out oil recovery operations.
- Each vessel is able to decant exess water thus maximizing the utilization of the on board storage capacity.
- Each vessel has the ability to heat the recovered cargo and utilises high capacity pumps in order to facilitate the discharging of heavy viscous oil mixtures to shore side facilities.
To maintain the quality of the at-sea oil recovery service, all vessels and crews undergo regular drills under the supervision of the Agency. In order to work under aninternational command and control structure, which is the most likely scenario during a major spill, each vessel is available to participate in regular at-sea spill response exercises.
Source and Image Credit: EMSA
For more information please read the “Network of Stand-by Oil Spill Response Vessels and Equipment (Handbook 2014)” issued by EMSA by clicking on the image below:
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