New National Plan ensures effective response to maritime emergencies
Australian industry, state and federal governments have endorsed a new National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies. The plan sets out the cooperative arrangements between governments and industry to respond to maritime pollution and shipping casualty incidents. The plan, managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, was reviewed with extensive input from key stakeholders, from industry and government, drawing on their experience with maritime emergencies both domestically and internationally since the last plan was put in place in 2001. AMSA Chief Executive Graham Peachey said the new plan combines pollution response and the management of maritime casualties for the first time in its 40 year existence. Following extensive collaboration with industry, state and territory governments, and emergency services, the new plan is designed to integrate more effectively within Australias disaster management arrangements, Mr Peachey said. "AMSA thanks all involved in the formulation of the new National Plan." A risk assessment, which was the cornerstone of the review, resulted in a boost to National Plan response equipment stockpiles across Australia. These stockpiles are strategically located in nine ports around the coastline and can be drawn on in the event of an oil spill or a stricken vessel causing pollution in our marine environment, ...
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