Section 4



NATIONAL OIL SPILLS CONTINGENCY
PLAN



AUGUST, 1996

SECTION 4

CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR COMBATING OIL POLLUTION IN SAINT LUCIA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1 - GENERAL
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Authority
1.4 Scope
1.5 Definitions
1.6 Governing Body
1.7 Committee


SECTION 2 - STRATEGY
2.1 Assessment of Spill risk
2.2 Resources at risk from oil spills
2.3 The Clean-up Strategy
2.4 Training
2.5 Financing


SECTION 3 - OPERATIONAL PLAN
3.1 Reporting Procedures
3.2 Evaluation and initiation of action
3.3 Response Decision
3.4 Clean-up
3.5 Documentation and Cost Recovery
3.6 Communications


All Correspondence concerning the National Emergency Management Organisation [NEMO] should be addressed to:-
The National Emergency Management Organisation, P. O. Box 1517, Castries, Saint Lucia, WEST INDIES or E-mail us

SAINT LUCIA

CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR COMBATING OIL POLLUTION IN SAINT LUCIA

SECTION 1 - GENERAL

1.1 INTRODUCTION.

The National Oil Spills Contingency Plan (hereinafter referred to the NOCP) set forth below is a strategy for protection of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas of Saint Lucia.

The plan is conceived in the spirit of cooperation fostered by the Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan for the Island States and territories of the Wider Caribbean region in which Saint Lucia participates, as well as applicable International Agreements including the Cartagena Convention (Protocol to the Conference on the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region, Cartagena de Indies, Columbia, 1983).

The behavior of an oil spill and its displacement over time are two important considerations when planning and directing actions aimed at fighting and controlling such spills. Because of the varying atmospheric and marine conditions in coastal areas at any given time, it was necessary to establish a theoretical pattern of the behavior of oils spills on water, in order to obtain thses parameters. Such as: Wind direction, Water currents, Water depth, Hydrography (river discharge). (National Contingency Plan Against Massive Oil Spills in Venezuelan Territorial Waters)

1.2 OBJECTIVES.

This plan is the framework under which resources will be coordinated in Saint Lucia for the prevention and control of marine pollution caused by spills, in cases of emergency, and to protect life, property, and the environment from damage when discharges do occur. Objectives of the Plan are to:
- set forth agency responsibilities;
- prescribe procedures for reporting an oil discharge;
- institute prompt measures to restrict the spread of pollution;
- describe techniques to control oil spills;
- protect the public health, welfare, and natural resources from the effects of such spills;
- prescribe priorities for applying limited resources;
- prescribe procedures to facilitate recovery of costs incurred;
- accommodate laws that may be applied under this Plan;
- outline procedures for obtaining support from outside Saint Lucia;


1.3 AUTHORITY.

The administrative and legislative authority for mitigating oil pollution spills lies within the Ministry of Finance & Planning, Central Planning Unit for which the National Emergency Management Organization is the specifically designated agency. Enshrined in Ordinance of 1st July 1929 entitled, "AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE PROVISION AGAINST THE DISCHARGE OR ESCAPE OF OIL INTO THE TERRITORIAL WATERS OF THE COLONY, CHAPTER 91", short titled, Oil in Navigable Waters.

1.4 SCOPE.

The plan applies to all National agencies, Oil firms operating within the sphere of application of the plan and all agencies that may lend assistance.

The sphere of application for the Plan shall be the waters of Saint Lucia and adjoining shorelines as well as spills on land that may migrate to or flow into such waters.
Such spills may originate from:
- Pipeline or storage-tank leaks
- Collision or leaks in tanker operations
- Loading and unloading operations in tankers
- Petroleum storage blow-outs

1.5 DEFINITIONS.

"Oil Spill" -- a discharge of oil; of any kind, be it intentional or accidental.

"Discharge" -- any spilling, leaking, pumping, emittings, emptying, or dumping of mineral or vegetable oils.

"Potential spill" -- any accident or other circumstance which threatens to result in the discharge of oil.

"Governing body" -- The Body or Institution designated to deal with a marine pollution emergency. It shall be represented by its most Senior Official.

"Executive Centre" -- The unit responsible within the governing body for coordinating the operations for dealing with an emergency. It shall be represented by its most senior official.

"On-Scene Coordinator" (OSC) -- the individual who has overall responsibility to coordinate and direct pollution control activities on behalf of the Government of Saint Lucia.


Abbreviations -

NOCP- National Oil Spill Contingency Plan
OSC - On Scene Coordinator
MOH - Ministry of Health
CPU - Central Planning Unit
MOW - Ministry of Works


1.6 GOVERNING BODY

The Governing Body shall be the Air and Sea Ports Authority. It shall be represented by its General Manager who shall act as the On-Scene Coordinator (OSC).

The specific functions of the Governing Body shall be:
a) To arrange for the implementation of the Contingency Plan in accordance with the procedures provided for;

b) To inform the governing body of neighbouring countries of the possibility of pollution in their areas where such pollution appears likely;

c) To undertake the necessary preliminary action to ensure the free entry and departure of equipment and experts and their employment in the national territory combating a spill;

d) To ensure the availability of funds to cover the costs incurred in controlling a spill pending the receipt of payments from insurance or other sources of financing;

e) To order the payment of such fees as are incurred for the hire of equipment or replacement of equipment, where necessary;

f) To produce the accounts for the payments of fees, hire of equipment or replacement of plant and equipment sent to governing bodies of requesting countries;

g) To transmit to the National Disaster Committee a report of the pollution problem, the solution applied and the evaluation of such solutions.

1.7 COMMITTEE

St Lucia Air & Seaports Authority - Chairman
Environmental Engineer, Ministry of Planning - Deputy Chairman
Chief Engineer, Ministry of Works
Chief Engineer, St Lucia Air & Seaports Authority
Commissioner of Police
Chief Fire Officer
Chief Medical Officer
Chief Fisheries Officer
Coast Guard Commander
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Legal Affairs
Hess Oil (St Lucia) Ltd
Caribbean Environmental Health Institute
Pesticide Board
Shell Antilles & Guianas Ltd
Texaco

SECTION 2 - STRATEGY


2.1 ASSESSMENT OF SPILL RISK


The following procedure shall be observed in assessing a Spill Risk.

a) The expected frequency, size of spills and type of oil must be determined.

b) The number of calls made by tankers within the sphere of application and/or in an area outside the region
but likely to affect the area within the sphere of application shall be recorded.

c) A range of possible spill scenarios shall be developed from the analyses of oil related activities and types
of oil handled in the area or carried through it.

d) These spill scenarios will be based on the climate characteristic (winds, tides, current, sea conditions) and
the anticipated slick movement at these locations.


2.2 RESOURCES AT RISK FROM OIL SPILLS


PRIORITIES:

Amenity areas, economically important tourist and recreation facilities; ecologically sensitive areas; industrial or drinking water intakes; fisheries; mariculture, sea birds, marine mammals and other resources likely to be threatened shall be identified.

Resources shall be deployed to protect and clean up the above mentioned prime resources. High priorities shall be given to areas that can be most rapidly and efficiently cleaned, such as readily accessible areas with high volumes of floating oil that may contaminate other areas of higher ecologic or economic value.

DEGREE OF CLEANLINESS:

Clean-up resources shall be deployed to areas where they are most effective. In general, clean up resources shall be shifted to other contaminated areas when:

I. excessive effort is needed to remove the remaining oil.

II. The clean-up operation causes more damage than would the remaining oil.

III. Surveillance reveals areas having higher clean up priorities.


2.3 THE CLEAN-UP STRATEGY


The clean-up strategy shall be determined in relation to the assessment of the risk of spills and to the defense of agreed priorities for protection.

Suitable equipment shall be selected for the prevailing weather conditions and oil types.

The different shore line types falling within the area covered by the plan shall be identified and the most appropriate clean-up strategy shall be considered.

Amenity value, accessibility for heavy equipment and ability of the area to support such equipment shall be considerations in selecting the clean up techniques.

EQUIPMENT:

The location of the equipment in relation to high risk spill area shall be identified.


MANPOWER:

Manpower requirements to deploy the equipment and undertake clean up shall be estimated. The extent to which the requirement can be met from the implementing Agency will depend upon availability, the techniques involved and the amount of specialized equipment to be deployed. Back up labour from private contractors and government departments shall be identified.

STORAGE AND DISPOSAL SITES:

Suitable temporary storage and disposal sites for oily wastes approved by the Central Planning Unit and Ministry of Health shall be identified. These sites shall be close to areas of high spill risk.

Disposal options shall be discussed and decisions made shall take into account the environmental implications of each method, the probable costs of transport and disposal and the recycling of recovered oil.


2.4 TRAINING


Training Programmes shall be developed at all levels. Once every two years an Oil Spill Simulation Exercise shall be held to ensure that contingency arrangements function properly and that those likely to become involved in a spill become fully familiar with their particular responsibilities.

The events of an oil spill provide the best training and so review of an oil spill incident and clean up operations can be used to improve the plan.

Training is essential to all aspects of disaster management. With Oil spills the training is more specialised. Petróleos de Venezuela's center for personnel training an development [CIED] offers an integral training program which assures participants at all levels of the organization, be they industry personnel or from other entities associated with the plan, the necessary training to fight and control oil spills. CIED offers three types of training courses, with the following objectives:

* Oil Spill Analysis:

This course trains personnel belonging to the regional committees of the different NCP zones, in the process of joint decision-making aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of large oil spills and in optimizing the use of existing resources.

* Damage Control:

This course trains professionals and technicians belonging to the industry, as w ell as other official bodies involved in NCP, in the techniques required to control massive oil spills. Fighting oil spills:

* Combating Oil Spills:

This course is aimed at training personnel from the oil industry, the armed forces and contractors, in the handling of equipment and materials employed in:

* Fighting Oil Spills.

- The clean-up and restoration of affected areas. (National Contingency Plan Against Massive Oil Spills in Venezuelan Territorial Waters)


2.5 FINANCING

An agreed sum of money shall be vested in the National Emergency Management Organisation [NEMO], for the sole purpose of combating oil spills. The sum shall be used for training and cleaning up.

The Ministry of Finance shall develop procedures for recovering costs incurred as a result of oil spill clean up exercises.

SECTION 3 - OPERATIONAL PLAN


3.1 REPORTING PROCEDURES

Reporting of an Accident or Spill:

The reporting of a spill incident shall be by:

I. Government personnel or the public.

II. The result of monitoring or surveillance programmes.

III. A report made by the Spiller.

Whenever a spill is discovered the Oil Spill Committee (General Manager of Air and Seaports Authority) shall be notified immediately.

On receipt of such information the governing Body shall transmit an initial report as soon as possible to all interested parties. The format of such a report shall contain the following:

a) Date and time of observation.

b) Position coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude or stretch of coast).

c) Source and cause of the pollution (e.g., name and type of vessel, collision or grounding).

d) Estimate of the amount of oil spilled and likelihood of further spillage.

e) Description of oil slicks including direction, Length, breath and appearance.

f) Type of oil spilled and its characteristics.

g) Action, both contemplated and implemented to combat pollution and prevent further spillage.

h) Name and occupation of initial observer and any intermediate reporter and how they can be re-contacted.


3.2 EVALUATION AND INITIATION OF ACTION

Upon receiving a report, the Oil Spill Committee shall dispatch investigators to evaluate:

a) the magnitude and severity of the spill;

b) the potential impacts of the spill including hazards to life or property;

c) the available response time.


This information shall be transmitted back to the Oil Spill Committee. If the Oil Spill Committee determines that national resources are not totally adequate to control the situation, he shall consider invoking the sub-regional Oil Pollution Contingency Plan and seek assistance.

The investigators shall evaluate the effectiveness of measures applied to the spill and maintain a record of spill related activities.

In addition, the following action should be initiated immediately and concurrently:

a) Secure the spill source, for example, isolate a ruptured tank or close a valve in a discharging pipeline.

b) Identify the spilled product, and take precautions against explosive or toxic properties.

c) Determine spill size and predict movement. Determine local wave, tide, current, and wind conditions. Oil movement is a function of both the velocity of the local surface current (movement is same as current velocity) and wind direction (movement is about 3% of the wind velocity). Obtain constant field reports in order to permit effective positioning of resources.


3.3 RESPONSE DECISION

Based on the information received the following response options shall be considered:

a) If no key resources are threatened, no response may be necessary beyond monitoring the movement and behaviour of the slick.

b) If key resources are threatened, decide whether their protection is best achieved by combating the oil at a distance or by the use of the booms or other measures to defend specific sites.

c) If no protection is feasible, or if resources have already been affected, decide on the priorities for clean up.

d) Select the necessary equipment and manpower required and determine availability and location.

If the response decision is as of (2) above it will be necessary to immediately initiate positive actions to restrict the spread of the oil and to stop the discharge at it source. The spill area should be isolated to protect life and health.


3.4 THE CLEAN UP OPERATION AND DISPOSAL

This phase suggests of strategies that shall be taken to mitigate damage by recovering spilled oil and disposing oily debris in an environmentally acceptable manner. While the following descriptions will aid in choosing the more suitable methods, it is important to apply knowledge of experienced personnel and the information in field manuals to the situation at hand.


3.4.1 RECOVERING OIL FOR RE-USE:

Where feasibly, clean-up methods that will recover spilled oil for reuse shall be chosen. Such recovery generally requires use of vacuum equipment or oil skimmers, either shore-based or floating, as the case requires. This method is most feasible when oil can be concentrated in either natural collection points or by using containment booms. Large amounts of oil can be rapidly recovered with minimal labour cost when compared to the clean up of an oiled shoreline which would also entail the removal of oily sand and debris.

3.4.2 REMOVING NON REUSABLE OIL:

Where the previously described methods are not feasible, the following options shall be considered:

a) Evaporation - light, non-persistent oils such as gasoline and JP-4 tend to evaporate more rapidly than removal operations can be undertaken. Furthermore, removal of such volatile products such as gasoline would be excessively hazardous in many situations.

b) Physical removal - use of heavy equipment or manual labour is often the only available method for removing oily debris on a shoreline. Sorbant materials, such as polyester shavings or readily available natural materials such as straw, may facilitate subsequent manual or mechanical removal.

c) Bio-degradation - certain biologic additives may foster the bio-degradation of oil, however, this method is not common and should not be used without serious deliberations.

d) Burning - an option worthy of high consideration when other options are inadequate; the losses to the fire are acceptable; and the fire can be maintained.

e) Chemical dispersing - most suitable where it is the only option for protecting a resource. Shall not be used if the oil will not impact a resource that requires protection. The operation requires major logistical support and unique equipment. Availability of dispersants that are most effective for the situation at hand and knowledgeable personnel are critical.

3.4.3 DISPOSAL

The disposal of recovered oil shall be accomplished with emphasis given
to recycling the product.

Material recovered by means of vacuum units shall, wherever possible, be returned directly to permanent or temporary storage tanks. Under no circumstances will oil/water mixture be discarded at a land fill dump without first exhausting all other disposal alternatives.

As oil is recovered from the spill area, it shall be transferred to a tank or container where oil/water separation is initiated by techniques such as gravity separation and centrifuging. The remaining oil may then be transported for recycling.

Oily waste or debris from which the oil cannot be extracted are recycled shall be properly disposed of. Practical uses such as road construction/repair shall be considered. Disposal of useable materials at land fill dumps shall be in manner approved by Ministry of Health.


3.5 DOCUMENTATION AND COST RECOVERY

3.5.1 ECONOMIC COSTS

It is imperative to initiate action that result in the discharger incurring the costs of a spill. The Economic Impact of an oil spill and resultant clean up operations can range from product loss, clean up measures, and restoration to the costs associated with interrupted use of navigational channels and loss of business at resort facilities.

3.5.2 DOCUMENTATION

It is necessary to document major actions and costs associated with oil spills. The Oil Spill Committee shall maintain records and supporting documentation for the following:

a) Spill description, areas and degree of impact.

b) Conference held.

c) Decisions arrived at and implemented.

d) Groups contacted, employed or and used for what purpose.

e) Hours worked by all government funded personnel.

f) Wages and materials costs of government resources.

g) Time of and nature of major events.


3.5.3 COST RECOVERY

Procedures on cost recovery shall be appended to this plan.


3.6 COMMUNICATIONS

Local Communications/Command Posts shall be located as close to the scene of the spill as possible to ensure that the entire area affected by the spill is within easy reach by radio or telephone.

Supervisory staff shall have the necessary radio equipment and shall be familiar with communications procedures.

Communications equipment shall be made available to allow rapid transfer or information and instruction between aircraft, vessels, vehicles, shore clean-up parties and the Central Communications and Command Posts.

The Standing Operations Procedures (SOP) for Communications is documented in the National Emergency Management Plan/Section 8: Telecommunications Plan

All Correspondence concerning the National Emergency Management Organisation [NEMO] should be addressed to:-
The National Emergency Management Organisation, P. O. Box 1517, Castries, Saint Lucia, WEST INDIES or E-mail us