GUIDELINE FOR OIL SPILL RESPONSE IN FAST CURRENTS

The content of the present guide has been compiled by the OPRC-HNS Technical Group. Subject group is one of the subsidiary bodies of the MEPC, i.e. Maritime Environment Protection Committee of the IMO. The document was approved by the subject committee.

Nowadays, there is lot of readily available information and guidance to handling the oil spills and providing adequate and effective response along coastlines and in open waters. However, there is a lack of information about doing same under the conditions of fast waterways, such as inland waters including rivers etc. That is why the decision had been made to prepare an official publication that would cover all associated aspects.

The main objective of the present document is to give some basic information and practical guidance to all shipboard personnel involved in oil spill response for better development of the effective spill response techniques and strategies, clean-up measures, containment of the spill etc. The crew members are expected to possess some very basic knowledge of the oil containment and recovery by application standard equipment. This is a must-have document for any ship involved in passage in the above mentioned areas.