MPA Singapore launches joint oil spill exercise
To test and demonstrate Singapore's readiness to respond effectively to oil spills at sea, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) led a multi-agency joint oil spill exercise, code-named JOSE 2014, on Friday, 17 October 2014 from 9.00am to 1.30pm. Comprising a table-top exercise at the Port Operations Control Centre Vista and a seaward exercise off Pulau Bukom about 9 km from Harbourfront, some 180 personnel from various agencies participated in this exercise. See Annex A for the list of participating agencies. (Image Credit: MPA Singapore) JOSE 2014 involved a scenario where a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) "Blue Moon" was discharging her oil at Shell Bukom Single-Buoy Mooring (SBM) when one of the sub-sea hoses located at the SBM ruptured. About 6000 tonnes of light crude oil was spilled into the sea causing potential threat to the environment. The Master of the VLCC immediately reported the incident to MPA and requested for assistance. The spill response teams demonstrated the deployment of equipment such as oil containment booms around the VLCC and the SBM to prevent further escape of the oil, as well as the recovery of oil by specialised skimmers. In addition to the 16 anti-pollution craft, MPA ...
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