Preventing and Handling an Oil Spill

We all know that oil spills have adverse effects on environment and human life. In this article we will learn about the various methods and steps that need to be taken in case of occurrence of an unduly accident or spillage of oil. We will also learn about some precautions and designing aspects that should be taken into consideration in case of oil spillage, along with the procedures, both general and legal, that are carried out and should be followed under such circumstances.

Segregated ballast tanks (SBT) are provided on tankers so that there is no need of taking ballast water in cargo tanks. It is a general practice to take water in the cargo tanks for ship's stability. This ballast water, if required, cannot be discharged in the sea as it would have traces of oil in it. The provision of SBTs would exempt the need for tank washing and also reduces oil water mixtures. The advantages of SBTs are that they are completely separated from cargo tanks and have totally different pumping and piping systems. Moreover, they are not in any way connected to the main cargo oil or fuel oil system.

Double hull design is found in almost all ships nowadays. Actually it's of prime importance and also a mandatory requirement put forth by all the environmental protection agencies. The main aim to provide double hull is to limit the outflow of oil into the sea incase of collision or damage due to stranding or grounding.

On all oil loading terminals and repair ports, special provision should be provided for receiving residues (sludge) and oily mixtures from ships. This is done with a view to prevent emergency or accidental discharge of residue or oily mixtures into the sea in case of collision or operational flaws. These services are often chargeable and either the port authority looks after it or assigns it to a private service provider.

In case of an unavoidable accident of oil spillage, resulting from damage to the ship or its equipments or for the purpose of securing the safety of ship or saving life at sea or a spillage during the operation of the ship, the coastal state or authority that is nearest to the area of accident should be informed. Also the contacts representing interest in the ship should be informed about the spillage and appropriate details should be provided.

In addition to this, detailed reports should be presented to both the nearest coastal state or port contact, along with the contacts that own the ship.

The Exxon Valdez oil spill was the reason for the establishment of oil pollution act in 1990. This incident was supposed to be the most disastrous accident both on marine as well as human life, and its detrimental effects are still visible today. This incident roused United States of America to take solid and drastic steps to prevent marine oil pollution. Agencies like The National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration (NOAA) and the environmental protection agency (EPA) were formed and actively put into action as a result of this incident.

This law asks for both the restoration of the natural resources that are affected and also liabilities for the lost lives in the accident. Under this maritime law the offender has to make provision to bring the natural resources back to their original state. He also has to make provisions for the compensation of natural resources and the lives lost.

The NOAA takes up the task of scrutinizing the intensity of accident, by assessing the pre-accident condition, graveness of the accident, and the compensations it requires. On the basis of this assessment, it prepares a restoration plan, which the offender has to follow and abide to. It also constantly monitors the restoration process and makes sure that it is completed in the stipulated time. A huge amount of money needs to be paid by the offender as compensation in addition to the restoration plan.

EPA gives equal emphasis on the prevention of oil spill. This agency requires that the ship’s crew is appropriately trained. It also requires all the modern ships and tankers to have double hull and also have an effective contingency and vessel response plan in addition to properly trained crew in spill responses.

http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/lawsregs/opaover.htm#info

http://www.oilpollutionlaw.com/overview.htm

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