To test and demonstrate Singapore’s readiness to tackle oil and chemical spills, a multi-agency joint oil spill exercise was conducted.
Code-named JOSE 2015, the exercise was organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on the last day of the International Chemical and Oil Pollution Conference and Exhibition 2015 (ICOPCE), held in conjunction with the 10th Singapore Maritime Week (SMW).
JOSE 2015 comprised a tabletop management exercise at MPA’s Port Operations Control Centre Vista and a full scale oil and chemical spill response equipment deployment. Over 180 personnel from various agencies participated in the table top exercise and seaward exercise, located along Sudong Holding Anchorage, 4.5 km south of Jurong Island.
The exercise scenario involved a simulated collision between a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) and a chemical tanker. The VLCC suffered damages to two cargo tanks and some 5,000 tonnes of oil was spilled. Due to the impact of the collision, the chemical tanker sustained damage to the cargo tank cover on deck. The exercise included responses to combat oil and chemical pollution from both the vessels and tested multi-agency responsiveness and co-operation.
The spill response teams deployed equipment such as oil containment booms, harbour busters and specialised skimmers. In addition to the 22 anti-pollution craft, MPA also deployed an aircraft fitted with aerial dispersant spraying system to combat the spill and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that had the capability to provide aerial footages for better situational awareness on the ground and to monitor the effectiveness of the clean-up operations.
Mr Andrew Tan, MPA’s Chief Executive, said, “Being one of the busiest ports in the world and the top bunkering port, we are reminded of the importance to be vigilant and ready to swiftly respond to any maritime incident, including oil and chemical spills. This exercise not only tests multi-agency responsiveness and co-operation, it also allows us to share best practices and leverage the latest technology to manage the spill.”
About 40 delegates from the International Chemical and Oil Pollution Conference and Exhibition (ICOPCE) 2015 observed the action-packed oil and chemical spill exercise.
Source and Image Credit: MPA Singapore
In the starting, I was open with you propecia before and after has changed my essence. It has become much more fun, and now I have to run. Just as it is incredible to sit.
